Systems and methods for air remediation

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for monitoring and improving air quality in single- and multi-zone indoor spaces. The system for monitoring and improving air quality includes a built structure that includes an indoor space with environmentally-controllable zones, an environmental control system, sensor arrays positioned within the environmentally-controllable zones, and a control circuit configured to monitor air and remediate air within the indoor space. Multiple zones in the indoor space may be bundled together in multiple remediation bundled-areas for remediation by separate air handling systems and/or processes. Additionally, multiple zones may be delineated within the indoor space for sensor installation processes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/783,718, filed Dec. 21, 2018, and claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/756,913, filed Nov. 7, 2018, and claims benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/731,535, filed Sep. 14, 2018, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to assessing, monitoring, andimproving the indoor air quality in a habitable environment and/orspaces therein.

BACKGROUND

Most people spend significant amounts of time in habitable environmentssuch as enclosed indoor spaces associated with homes, apartments,condominium units, hotel suites or rooms, motel suites or rooms, spas,hospitals, and other public and private facilities. Sometimes theseindoor spaces are controlled, or even owned by, the principal occupants,such as homes, apartments or condominium units. Other times theseenclosed spaces are controlled by others, for example a facility owneror operator who may own and/or operate a hotel, motel, spa, hospital.

Significant time in these indoor spaces exposes the occupant to a widerange of environmental factors, any of which may have either adverse orbeneficial effects on the occupant’s health, well-being or sense ofwell-being. For example, poor indoor air quality has been linked tonumerous short- and long-term health issues. Common indoor airpollutants include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide(CO), particulate matter (e.g., PM_(2.5), PM₁₀), volatile organiccompounds (VOCs), radon, nitrogen dioxide, ozone (O₃), and noxygen(NOx), which may be produced or otherwise released by, for example,building materials, HVAC systems, fuel burning combustion appliances,cleaning products, smoking, etc.

Short-term effects of indoor air pollutants may include irritation ofthe eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, whilelong-term effects may include respiratory diseases, heart disease, andeven cancer. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a condition associated withincreased time spent in buildings, and the chemicals used in buildingmaterials are thought to be a major contributing factor.

New approaches for improving air quality in indoor spaces withinhabitable environments are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Most people spend significant amounts of time in habitable environmentssuch as enclosed indoor spaces associated with homes, apartments,condominium units, hotel suites or rooms, motel suites or rooms, spas,hospitals, office spaces, meeting rooms, and other public and privatefacilities. Sometimes these indoor spaces are controlled, or even ownedby, the principal occupants, such as homes, apartments or condominiumunits. Other times these enclosed spaces are controlled by others, forexample a facility owner or operator who may own and/or operate a hotel,motel, spa, hospital, office building or office space, etc.

Products, methods and systems may be usable for improving air qualitywithin a particular indoor space or other habitable environment. Suchspaces may include, for example, an office building, building office,school, apartment building, dormitory, single family home, multi-familydwelling or building, townhouse, theatre, train or bus station, library,public lounge, store or market, bakery, restaurant, tavern, pub, resort,bar, hostel, lodge, hotel, motel, inn, guest house, mall, art gallery,art studio, craft studio, ship, boat, gym, spa, fitness center, sportsfacility, gas station, airplane, airport, automobile, train, bus, kiosk,hospital, doctor’s office, dentist’s office, police station, firestation, lighthouse, bank, coffee shop, dry cleaner, department store,pharmacy, hardware store, drug store, grocery store, institution, musicstudio, recording studio, concert hall, radio station or studio,television station or studio, post office, church, mosque, synagogue,chapel, mobile home, barn, farm house, silo, residence, assisted livingcenter, hospice, dwelling, laundromat, museum, hair salon, parkingstructure or facility, greenhouse, nursery, nail salon, barbershop,trailer, warehouse, storage facility, rest home, day care facility,laboratory, military facility, and any other place or facility where oneor more people may congregate, live, work, meet, engage, spend time,etc. Within such spaces, there may be one or more sub-spaces orhabitable environments that may be used for single or multiple purposes,such as home or other offices, kitchens, galleys, pantries, cookingareas, eating areas, home or office libraries or studies, conferencerooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, toilets, powder rooms, play rooms,bedrooms, foyers, reception areas, file rooms, pods, pet rooms, storagerooms, junk rooms, carports, dens, basements, attics, garages, closets,classrooms, cabins, cabooses, train cars, bunk rooms, media rooms,baths, auditoriums, locker rooms, changing rooms, engine rooms,cockpits, work rooms, stairwells, exhibition rooms, platforms,elevators, walk ways, hallways, pools, stock rooms, exercise rooms,break rooms, snack rooms, living or family rooms, dressing rooms,slumber rooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms, offices, game rooms,porches, patios, seating areas, clean rooms, common rooms, lunch rooms,sky boxes, stages, prop rooms, make up rooms, safes, vaults, receptionareas, check-in areas, compartments, drafting rooms, drawing rooms,computer or information technology rooms, waiting rooms, operatingrooms, examination rooms, therapy rooms, emergency rooms, recoveryrooms, machine rooms, equipment rooms, control rooms, laboratory rooms,monitoring rooms, and enclosed or partially enclosed areas, amongothers. In some spaces, requirements in the design, operation or otheraspect of the space may apply. For example, enclosed stairwells oftenmay have a separate source of air, a separate air handling system, or bepressurized to make sure that the stairwells remain usable in a fire.

Various approaches described herein employ combinations of passive andactive techniques for improving air quality in indoor spaces, to reduceor ameliorate adverse effects of various indoor air pollutants. Theseapproaches may have application in occupational environments, forinstance offices, retail locations, factories or warehouses. Theseapproaches may have application in residential settings, for instancehomes, apartments, porches, condominiums or other residences. Theseapproaches may have application in other settings, for instancehospitals or clinics, waiting areas associated with transportation suchas airports and train stations, and/or public areas such as theaters,arenas, stadiums, museums, hotels and other venues. The variouscombinations may advantageously produce synergistic results, which maynot be otherwise achievable on an individual basis.

Occupants or other users of such spaces or sub-spaces (i.e., zones) maywant to control or influence the indoor air quality or other parameterswithin a given space or sub-space, which may be, or may be part, of ahabitable environment or other habitable, usable or occupiable area.

In one illustrative approach, a system for improving the air quality inan indoor space may be summarized as including a sensor array configuredto measure at least one air parameter in an indoor space; an airhandling unit comprising a control circuit; and a central controlcircuit that includes at least one processor and at least onenon-transitory processor-readable medium that stores at least one ofprocessor-executable instructions or data. The central controller iscommunicatively coupled to the sensor array and the air handling unitand is configured to receive from the sensor array a first signalindicative of a measurement of a first air parameter in the space;determine if the measurement of the first air parameter is above a firstthreshold value for a first duration; if the measurement of the firstair parameter is above the first threshold value for the first duration,determine if air within the space is currently being remediated; and ifthe air within the space is not currently being remediated, cause theair handling unit to remediate the air within the space until ameasurement of the first air parameter is lower than a second value fora second duration. In some embodiments, a sensor array may be or includeone or more environmental parameter measuring devices or other sensors.

In some embodiments, the first and second threshold values may besubstantially the same. In other embodiments, the second threshold valuemay be lower than the first threshold value. For example, the secondthreshold value may be about half of the first threshold value.

The sensor array may be configured to measure one or more air parametersat defined detection intervals. In addition, each of the first andsecond durations may comprise at least one, and sometimes, at least twosensor detection intervals. In some embodiments, the first and seconddurations are substantially similar. In other embodiments, the secondduration is longer than the first duration.

The sensor array may include one or more sensors that are capable ofdetecting and/or measuring any detectable air pollutant or air qualityparameter including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, carbonmonoxide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon,nitrogen dioxide, ozone, noxygen (NOx), and combinations thereof.

The air handling unit may remediate the air within the indoor spaceusing any suitable air remediation technique including, but not limitedto fresh air exchange, particulate filtration, ionic filtration,activated carbon filtration, ultraviolet air purification, chemicalsorbent filtration, catalyst sorbent filtration, and combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, when the detected air quality parameterabove the threshold is carbon dioxide, the air handling unit mayremediate the air within the indoor space by fresh air exchange. Forexample, when the measurement of carbon dioxide in the indoor space isabove the first threshold value for the first duration, the centralcontrol circuit causes a window or vent in the indoor space to open apredetermined amount to facilitate the fresh air exchange by the airhandling unit.

In some embodiments, the central control circuit may receive from thesensor array a second signal indicative of a measurement of a second airpollutant or parameter in the space. In some embodiments, the centralcontrol circuit may then determine if the measurement of the second airparameter is above a third threshold value for a third duration, and ifthe measurement of the second air parameter is above the third thresholdvalue for the third duration, the central control circuit may cause theair handling unit to remediate the air within the space until ameasurement of the second air parameter is lower than a fourth thresholdvalue for a fourth duration. In other embodiments, the central controlcircuit may determine that a combined measurement of the first andsecond air parameters in the indoor space is above a first combinedthreshold value for the first duration, and cause the air handling unitto remediate the air within the space until a combined measurement ofthe first and second air parameters is lower than a second combinedthreshold value for the second duration. When the first air parametercomprises carbon dioxide and a second air parameter comprisesparticulate matter, the air handling unit may remediate the air in theindoor space by at least fresh air exchange.

The system may further include one or more occupancy sensors or sensorarrays communicatively coupled to the central control circuit andconfigured to detect an occupancy in the indoor space or zones therein,and the system may automatically adjust the first and second thresholdvalues and/or the first and second durations based on a detectedoccupancy in the indoor space or zones therein.

In some embodiments, the central control circuit may be furtherconfigured to initiate operation of the air handling unit at a specifictime of day or for a period prior to a predetermined time of day toreduce a measurement of the first air parameter below a threshold valuethat is lower than each of the first and second threshold values.

The system may further comprise an outdoor air sensor communicativelycoupled to the central control circuit, the outdoor air sensor locatedin an outdoor area outside of the indoor space and configured to measureat least one air outdoor parameter in the outdoor area. The centralcontrol circuit may receive from the outdoor sensor a first outdoorsignal indicative of a measurement of a first outdoor air parameter inthe outdoor area and determine if the measurement of the first outdoorair parameter is above a first outdoor threshold value for a firstoutdoor duration.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the space is not currently beingremediated, the central control circuit may cause the air handling unitto remediate the air within the indoor space without using fresh airexchange until the sooner of: a measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is lower than a second outdoor threshold value for a secondoutdoor duration, or a measurement of the first air parameter in theindoor space is lower than the second threshold value for the secondduration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoorair parameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the space is not currently beingremediated, the control circuit may delay air remediation in the indoorspace by the air handling unit until a measurement of the first outdoorair parameter is lower than the second threshold value for the secondoutdoor duration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for thefirst outdoor duration, and if the air within the space is currentlybeing remediated, the central control circuit may cause the air handlingunit to cease air remediation in the indoor space until the measurementof the first outdoor air parameter is lower than a second outdoorthreshold value for the second outdoor duration.

In another illustrative approach, a system for improving the air qualityin an indoor space may be summarized as including a first sensor arraylocated in a first zone of an indoor space and a second sensor arraylocated in a second zone of the indoor space, the first and secondsensors configured to measure at least one air parameter in the firstand second zones of the indoor space, respectively; and an air handlingunit associated with the first and second zones of the indoor spacecomprising a control circuit. The system further includes a centralcontrol circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor array and the airhandling unit, the central control circuit configured to receive fromthe first sensor array a signal indicative of a measurement of a firstair parameter in the first zone; determine if the measurement of thefirst air parameter is above a first threshold value for a firstduration; if the measurement of the first air parameter is above thefirst threshold value for the first duration, determine if air withinthe first zone is currently being remediated; and if the air within thefirst zone is not currently being remediated, cause the air handlingunit to remediate the air within the first and second zones until ameasurement of the first air parameter is lower than a second value fora second duration.

In some embodiments, the air handling unit associated with the first andsecond zones may further comprise a first damper located in the firstzone and a second damper located in the second zone, the first andsecond dampers configured to control airflow into the first and secondzones, respectively. If the measurement of the first air parameter isabove the first threshold value for the first duration, and if the airwithin the first zone is not currently being remediated, the airhandling unit associated with the first and second zones may remediatethe air within the first zone by reconfiguring positions of the firstand second dampers to allow airflow into the first zone and to restrictairflow into the second zone.

The system may further may comprise a third sensor array located in athird zone of a of the indoor space and a fourth sensor array located ina fourth zone of the indoor space, the third and fourth sensor arrayscommunicatively coupled to the central control circuit and configured tomeasure at least one air parameter in the third and fourth zones of theindoor space, respectively. The system may further include an airhandling unit associated with the third and fourth zones of the indoorspace comprising a control circuit. The control circuit may be furtherconfigured to receive from the third sensor array a signal indicative ofa measurement of a second air parameter in the third zone; determine ifthe measurement of the second air parameter in the third zone is above athird threshold value for a third duration; if the measurement of thesecond air parameter in the third zone is above the third thresholdvalue for the third duration, determine if air within the third zone iscurrently being remediated; and if the air within the third zone is notcurrently being remediated, cause the air handling unit associated withthe third and fourth zones to remediate the air within the third andfourth zones until a measurement of the second air parameter in thethird zone is lower than a fourth threshold value for a fourth duration.

In some embodiments, the air handling unit associated with the third andfourth zones may further comprise a third damper located in the thirdzone and a fourth damper located in the fourth zone, the third andfourth dampers configured to control airflow into the third and fourthzones, respectively. If the measurement of the first air parameter inthe third zone is above the first threshold value for the firstduration, and if the air within the third zone is not currently beingremediated, the air handling unit associated with the third and fourthzones may remediate the air within the third zone by reconfiguringpositions of the third and fourth dampers to allow airflow into thethird zone and to restrict airflow into the fourth zone.

In some embodiments, the first and second threshold values may besubstantially the same. In other embodiments, the second threshold valuemay be lower than the first threshold value. For example, the secondthreshold value may be about half of the first threshold value. In someembodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth threshold values maybe substantially the same. In other embodiments, the first and thirdthreshold values may be substantially the same and the second and fourthvalues may be substantially the same. In some embodiments, the secondand fourth threshold values may be lower than the first and thirdthreshold values. For example, the second and fourth threshold valuesmay be about half of the first and third thresholds values.

The sensor arrays are generally capable of detecting and/or measuringany detectable air quality parameter including, but not limited to,carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile organiccompounds (VOCs), radon, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, noxygen (NOx), andcombinations thereof. The sensor arrays may be configured to measure oneor more air parameters at defined detection intervals. In addition, eachof the first, second, third, and/or fourth durations may comprise atleast one, and in some embodiments, at least two sensor detectionintervals. In some embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourthdurations maybe substantially similar. In other embodiments, the firstand third durations may be substantially similar and the second andfourth durations may be substantially similar, and the second and fourthdurations may be longer than the first and third durations.

The air handling unit associated with the first and second zones mayremediate the air within the first and second zones using any suitableair remediation technique including, but not limited to fresh airexchange, particulate filtration, ionic filtration, activated carbonfiltration, ultraviolet air purification, and combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, when the detected air quality parameter above thethreshold is carbon dioxide, the air handling unit associated with thefirst and second zones may remediate the air within the first and secondzones by fresh air exchange. For example, when the measurement of carbondioxide in the first and second zones is above the first threshold valuefor the first duration, the central control circuit causes a window orvent in the first and/or second zones to open a predetermined amount tofacilitate the fresh air exchange by the air handling unit.

In some embodiments, the central control circuit may receive a signalfrom the first sensor array indicating that levels of two different airparameters in the first zone are above respective first and secondthresholds for the first duration. The central control circuit may thencause the air handling unit associated with the first and second zonesto remediate the air within the first and second zones until ameasurement of the two air parameters in the first zone is lower thanrespective second predetermined threshold values for the secondduration. In other embodiments, the central control circuit maydetermine that a combined measurement of first and second air parametersin the first zone is above a first combined threshold value for thefirst duration and cause the air handling unit to remediate the airwithin the first and second zones until a combined measurement of thefirst and second air parameters is lower than a second combinedthreshold value for the second duration. When the first air parametercomprises carbon dioxide and a second air parameter comprisesparticulate matter, the air handling unit associated with the first andsecond zones may remediate the air in the first and second zones by atleast fresh air exchange.

The system may further include one or more occupancy sensors or sensorarrays communicatively coupled to the central control circuit andconfigured to detect an occupancy in the first zone, and the system mayautomatically adjust the first and second threshold values and/or thefirst and second durations based on a detected occupancy in the firstzone

In some embodiments, the central control circuit may be furtherconfigured to initiate operation of the air handling unit associatedwith the first and second zones at a specific time of day or for aperiod prior to a predetermined time of day to reduce a measurement ofthe first air parameter in the first zone below a threshold value thatis lower than each of the first and second threshold values.

The system may further comprise an outdoor air sensor communicativelycoupled to the central control circuit, the outdoor air sensor locatedin an outdoor area outside of the indoor space and configured to measureat least one air outdoor parameter in the outdoor area. The centralcontrol circuit may receive from the outdoor sensor a first outdoorsignal indicative of a measurement of a first outdoor air parameter inthe outdoor area and determine if the measurement of the first outdoorair parameter is above a first outdoor threshold value for a firstoutdoor duration.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the first and second zones isnot currently being remediated, the central control circuit may causethe air handling unit to remediate the air within the first and secondzones without using fresh air exchange until the sooner of: ameasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lower than a secondoutdoor threshold value for a second outdoor duration; or a measurementof the first air parameter in the first zone is lower than the secondthreshold value for the second duration. In some embodiments, if themeasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is above the firstoutdoor threshold value for the first outdoor duration, and if the airwithin the space is not currently being remediated, the control circuitmay delay air remediation in the first and second zones by the airhandling unit until a measurement of the first outdoor air parameter islower than the second threshold value for the second outdoor duration.In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the first and second zones iscurrently being remediated, the central control circuit may cause theair handling unit to cease air remediation in the first and second zonesuntil the measurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lower than asecond outdoor threshold value for the second outdoor duration.

In one illustrative approach, a method of improving air quality in anindoor space may be summarized as including receiving from a sensorarray a first signal indicative of a measurement of a first airparameter in the space; determining if the measurement of the first airparameter is above a first threshold value for a first duration; if themeasurement of the first air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration, determining if air within the space iscurrently being remediated; and if the air within the space is notcurrently being remediated, initiating air remediation in the space byan air handling unit and continuing air remediation within the spaceuntil a measurement of the first air parameter is lower than a secondvalue for a second duration. The air handling unit may remediate the airwithin the space using at least one of fresh air exchange, particulatefiltration, ionic filtration, activated carbon filtration, andultraviolet air purification. The first air parameter may be selectedfrom the group consisting of carbon dioxide, particulate matter,volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, carbon monoxide, nitrogendioxide, ozone, noxygen (NOx), and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving from asensor array a second signal indicative of a measurement of a second airparameter in the space; determining if the measurement of the second airparameter is above a third threshold value for a third duration; and ifthe measurement of the second air parameter is above the third thresholdvalue for the third duration, initiating air remediation in the indoorspace by the air handling unit and continuing air remediation within thespace until a measurement of the second air parameter is lower than afourth threshold value for a fourth duration. In other embodiments, themethod may further include receiving from the sensor array a secondsignal indicative of a measurement of a second air parameter in thespace; determining that a combined measurement of the first and secondair parameters in the indoor space is above a first combined thresholdvalue for the first duration; initiating air remediation in the indoorspace by the air handling unit; and continuing air remediation withinthe space until a combined measurement of the first and second airparameters is lower than a second combined threshold value for thesecond duration.

In some embodiments, the method may further include initiating operationof the air handling unit at a specific time of day or for a period priorto a predetermined time of day to reduce a measurement of the first airparameter below a threshold value that is lower than each of the firstand second threshold values.

The method may further comprise receiving from an outdoor sensor a firstoutdoor signal indicative of a measurement of a first outdoor airparameter in the outdoor area; and determining if the measurement of thefirst outdoor air parameter is above a first outdoor threshold value fora first outdoor duration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of thefirst outdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold valuefor the first outdoor duration, and if the air within the space is notcurrently being remediated, the method may further comprise initiatingair remediation within the indoor space by the air handling unit withoutusing fresh air exchange, and continuing air remediation until thesooner of: a measurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lowerthan a second outdoor threshold value for a second outdoor duration; ora measurement of the first air parameter in the indoor space is lowerthan the second threshold value for the second duration. In otherembodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor air parameter isabove the first outdoor threshold value for the first outdoor duration,and if the air within the space is not currently being remediated, themethod may further comprise delaying air remediation in the indoor spaceby the air handling unit until a measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is lower than the second threshold value for the secondoutdoor duration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for thefirst outdoor duration, and if the air within the space is currentlybeing remediated, the method may further comprise causing the airhandling unit to cease air remediation in the indoor space until themeasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lower than a secondoutdoor threshold value for the second outdoor duration.

In another illustrative approach, a method of improving air quality inan indoor space may be summarized as including receiving from a firstsensor array a signal indicative of a measurement of a first airparameter in a first zone; determining if the measurement of the firstair parameter is above a first threshold value for a first duration; ifthe measurement of the first air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration, determining if air within the first zoneis currently being remediated; if the air within the first zone is notcurrently being remediated, initiating air remediation in the first andsecond zones by an air handling unit associated with the first andsecond zones; and continuing air remediation within the first and secondzones until a measurement of the first air parameter in the first zoneis lower than a second value for a second duration. In some embodiments,the air handling unit associated with the first and second zones mayremediate the air within the first zone by reconfiguring positions offirst and second dampers located in the first and second zones,respectively, to allow airflow into the first zone and to restrictairflow into the second zone.

The method may further comprise receiving from a third sensor array asignal indicative of a measurement of a second air parameter in a thirdzone; determining if the measurement of the second air parameter in thethird zone is above a third threshold value for a third duration; if themeasurement of the second air parameter in the third zone is above thethird threshold value for the third duration, determining if air withinthe third zone is currently being remediated; if the air within thethird zone is not currently being remediated, initiating air remediationin the third and fourth zones by an air handling unit associated withthe third and fourth zones; and continuing air remediation within thethird and fourth zones a measurement of the second air parameter in thethird zone is lower than a fourth threshold value for a fourth duration.In some embodiments, the air handling unit associated with the third andfourth zones may remediate the air within the third zone byreconfiguring positions of third and fourth dampers located in the thirdand fourth zones, respectively, to allow airflow into the third zone andto restrict airflow into the fourth zone.

The air handling units may remediate the air within the zones using atleast one of fresh air exchange, particulate filtration, ionicfiltration, activated carbon filtration, and ultraviolet airpurification. The air parameters may be selected from the groupconsisting of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, volatile organiccompounds (VOCs), radon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone,noxygen (NOx), and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving a signalfrom the first sensor array indicating that levels of two air parametersin the first zone are above respective first threshold values for thefirst duration, initiating air remediation in the first and second zonesby the air handling unit associated with the first and second zones, andcontinuing air remediation within the first and second zones until ameasurement of the two air parameters in the first zone is lower thanrespective second predetermined threshold values for the secondduration. In other embodiments, the method may further include receivingfrom the first sensor array a second signal indicative of a measurementof a second air parameter in the first zone, determining that a combinedmeasurement of the first and second air parameters in the first zone isabove a first combined threshold value for the first duration,initiating air remediation in the first and second zones by the airhandling unit associated with the first and second zones, and continuingair remediation within the first and second zones until a combinedmeasurement of the first and second air parameters is lower than asecond combined threshold value for the second duration.

In some embodiments, the method may further include initiating operationof the air handling unit at a specific time of day or for a period priorto a predetermined time of day to reduce a measurement of the first airparameter below a threshold value that is lower than each of the firstand second threshold values.

The method may further comprise receiving from an outdoor sensor a firstoutdoor signal indicative of a measurement of a first outdoor airparameter in the outdoor area; and determining if the measurement of thefirst outdoor air parameter is above a first outdoor threshold value fora first outdoor duration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of thefirst outdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold valuefor the first outdoor duration, and if the air within the first andsecond zones is not currently being remediated, the method may furthercomprise initiating air remediation within the first zone by the airhandling unit associated with the first and second zones without usingfresh air exchange, and continuing air remediation in the first zoneuntil the sooner of: a measurement of the first outdoor air parameter islower than a second outdoor threshold value for a second outdoorduration; or a measurement of the first air parameter in the first zoneis lower than the second threshold value for the second duration. Inother embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor air parameteris above the first outdoor threshold value for the first outdoorduration, and if the air within the first and second zones is notcurrently being remediated, the method may further comprise delaying airremediation in the first zone by the air handling unit associated withthe first and second zones until a measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is lower than the second threshold value for the secondoutdoor duration. In some embodiments, if the measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for thefirst outdoor duration, and if the air within the first and second zonesis currently being remediated, the method may further comprise causingthe air handling unit associated with the first and second zones tocease air remediation in the first and second zones until themeasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lower than a secondoutdoor threshold value for the second outdoor duration.

In another illustrative approach, a method of improving air quality inan indoor space may be summarized as including receiving from a firstsensor array a signal indicative of a measurement of an air parameter ina first zone; receiving from a second sensor array a signal indicativeof a measurement of an air parameter in a second zone; determining thatthe measurements of the air parameters in the first and second zones areabove first respective threshold values for first respective durations;ranking the first and second zones as one of a highest ranked zone and anext highest ranked zone based on air remediation priority; initiatingair remediation in the highest ranked zone by an air handling unitassociated with the first and second zones; continuing air remediationin the highest ranked zone until a measurement of the respective airparameter in the highest ranked zone is lower than a respective secondvalue for a respective second duration; initiating air remediation inthe next highest ranked zone by the air handling unit; and continuingair remediation in the next highest ranked zone until a measurement ofthe respective air parameter in the next highest zone is lower than arespective second value for a respective second duration.

In some embodiments air remediation priority may be based on, forexample, at least one of: (a) the type of elevated air parameter(s); (b)the respective measurements or scores of the air parameter(s); (c)comparison of which air parameter(s) exceeds its threshold value themost; (d) estimated, actual, or predicted occupancy of the zone (e.g.,if one zone is occupied and the other is not, the occupied zone may beremediated first; the zone scheduled for occupancy first may beremediated first; etc.); (e) intended or expected use of the zone, thetype of room/zone, etc. (e.g., a bedroom may be remediated before akitchen, a child’s bedroom may be remediated before an adult’s bedroom,a meeting room may be remediated before a document storage room); (f)the zone that was remediated the longest time ago may be remediatedfirst; (g) the zone that can be remediated the quickest may beremediated first; (h) time of day or year; (i) day of week;(j) therelative impacts of elevated air parameters on one or more people’shealth; (k) occupant or other user preference or need; (1) location; (m)external weather or other conditions (e.g., noise level); (n) grouprelated preference or need; (o) power or energy availability; (p) noiselevel or other ramification created during remediation of a zone; (q)the length of time it might take to remediate a zone; or (r) one or moreother factors (e.g., a room having food out in the open may beremediated before another room).

Occupants of an indoor space may want to continuously or otherwiseregularly monitor indoor environmental quality parameters, includingthermal and indoor air quality parameters, within the indoor space.Continuously or regularly monitoring an indoor environment allows forthe environment to be more precisely and accurately controlled.

In one illustrative approach, an apparatus for sheltering occupants maysummarized as including a built structure having an indoor environment;a sensor array configured to measure at least one of air quality,thermal quality, sound parameters, or lighting parameters; a centralcontrol circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor array. The centralcontrol circuit in the apparatus may be configured to delineate occupantzones based on an electronic floor plan; instruct allocation orinstallation of at least one sensor array for or in each delineatedoccupant zone; after delineation of the occupant zones, delineating atleast one boundary zone and at least one air handling zone based on theelectronic floor plan and an electronic HVAC plan; identify overlappingzones including at least one combined boundary-occupant zone, combinedair handling-occupant zone, or combined boundary-occupant-air handlingzone; and instruct allocation or installation of at least one sensorarray for or in the identified overlapping zones. If the sensor arraysavailable are less than a total of the combined delineated occupantzones and identified overlapping zones, then allocation or installationof thermal sensor arrays may occur on the basis of the following orderof preference: combined boundary-occupant-air handling zone first, thenthe combined air handling-occupant combined zones, and then the combinedboundary-occupant combined zones and allocation or installation of airquality sensor arrays occurs on the basis of the following order ofpreference: the combined boundary-occupant zone, the combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone, and then the combined airhandling-occupant zone.

In another illustrative approach, a system for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality may be summarized as including a built structurehaving a plurality of environmentally-controllable zones; a sensor arrayconfigured to measure at least one indoor environmental qualityparameters; an environmental control system associated with the builtstructure; at least one electronic user device associated with a user;and a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the sensorarray, the electronic device, and the environmental control system. Inthe system, the environmentally-controllable zones may be delineatedinto one or more occupant zones, air handling zones, and boundary zones.The control circuit may be configured to detect a particular occupanthaving an occupant profile in an environment database, locate theparticular occupant in a particular occupant zone, compare the sensorreadings in the particular occupant zone with parameters of the occupantprofile associated with the particular occupant, and, upon detectionthat the sensor readings in the particular occupant zone are not withinthe parameters of the occupant profile, instruct the environmentalcontrol system to adjust the parameters pursuant to the occupantprofile.

In one embodiment, the system for monitoring indoor environmentalquality may include a sensor array configured to measure at least one ofair quality, thermal quality, sound parameters, or lighting parameters.

In another illustrative approach, a method of monitoring indoor airquality may be summarized as including delineating a plurality ofoccupant zones in a built structure based on an electronic floor plan;allocating or installing at least one of a plurality of sensor arraysfor or in each delineated occupant zone; after delineation of theoccupant zones, delineating at least one boundary zone and at least oneair handling zone based on the electronic floor plan and an electronicHVAC plan; identifying overlapping zones including at least one combinedboundary-occupant zone, combined air handling-occupant zone, or combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone; installing at least one of theplurality of sensor arrays in the identified overlapping zones; andoperating an air handling system according to readings from the sensorarrays in the delineated occupant zones and the identified overlappingzones. If sensor arrays available for the identified occupant zones areless than the delineated occupant zones and the identified overlappingzones, then allocation or installation of thermal sensor arrays mayoccur on the basis of the following order of preference combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone first, then the combined airhandling-occupant combined zones, and then the combinedboundary-occupant combined zones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methodspertaining to assessing, monitoring, and improving the indoor airquality in a habitable environment and/or spaces therein. In thedrawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts.The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elementsand angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements arearbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air remediation system for improving airquality in an indoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an air remediation system for improving airquality in an indoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an indoor space in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-zone indoor space in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a multi-zone indoor space in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method for improving air quality in anindoor space in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary indoorenvironment with multiple occupant zones.

FIG. 14C is a schematic diagram of the location of sensor packages in anexemplary indoor environment with multiple occupant zones.

FIG. 14D is a schematic diagram of boundary zones an exemplary indoorenvironment.

FIG. 14E is a schematic diagram of air handling zones an exemplaryindoor environment.

FIG. 14F is a schematic diagram of overlapping areas an exemplary indoorenvironment.

FIG. 14G is a schematic diagram of outdoor zones adjacent to anexemplary indoor environment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are a flow diagrams of a method for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with environmental controlsuch as fans, blowers, heaters, coolers such as air conditioners orswamp coolers, compressors or other cooling systems, and control systemssuch as computing systems, as well as networks and other communicationschannels have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary air remediation system 100 for improvingair quality in a habitable environment or indoor space therein. In someapproaches, the air remediation system 100 may be a standalone systemfor remediating air quality in a habitable environment. In otherapproaches, the air remediation system may form part of, or otherwiseincorporate, one or more existing HVAC systems within a habitableenvironment. In some embodiments, the air remediation system 100 mayform part of a home wellness and/or a “smart home” system in thehabitable environment, which may also include other systems orcomponents that contribute to a wellness or sense of wellness of theoccupant of the habitable environment. For example, embodiments of theair remediation describe herein may be incorporated into systems forenhancing wellness in a habitable environment, and example of which isdescribed in International Application No. PCT/US2017/048382, filed onAug. 27, 2017, which published as WO/2018/039433 on May 1, 2018, thecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference

As shown in FIG. 1 , air remediation system 100 generally includes oneor more indoor air quality (IAQ) sensor arrays 110. The sensor arrays110 may comprise one or more indoor air quality sensors configured tosense, detect, or otherwise measure air pollutants in the habitablespace or one or more zones therein. Examples of air pollutants that maybe detected by sensors comprising sensor array 110 may include, but arenot limited to, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulatematter (e.g., PM_(2.5), PM₁₀),volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon,nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and noxygen (NOx).

The air remediation system 100 may optionally include one or moreoutdoor air quality (OAQ) sensor arrays 150 to measure outdoor airpollutants. The outdoor air quality sensor arrays may include airquality standalone sensors located outside of the habitable environmentand configured to send signals to the air remediation system 100, andmay also include sensors associated with weather stations, which maybroadcast air quality data, weather predictions or forecasts, or otherinformation for public use. The system may also include one or moreoccupancy sensors, motion detectors, face or other visual recognitiontechnologies, or other technology or devices located in the indoor spaceor zones therein 160 to sense, detect, or otherwise measure theoccupancy of an indoor space of the habitable environment or zonestherein.

The air remediation system 100 further may include one or more airhandling units 130 communicatively coupled to a central control circuit120, directly or indirectly. The one or more air handling systems 130may form part of an existing HVAC system in the habitable environmentand may include a variety of components to ensure that air supplied toone or more zones in the habitable environment is healthy andcomfortable for the occupant(s). It should be noted that although airhandling unit 130 as depicted in FIG. 1 may include a variety ofcomponents, as discussed below in further detail, it is not necessaryfor the air handling unit to include each and every component discussedbelow. Some components may be optional, depending on the geographicallocation of the habitable environment, the configuration of thehabitable space, the number of rooms or other zones within the habitablespace, the needs and/or desires of occupants, cost, external conditions,availability, etc. Various air pollutants and techniques for partial orcomplete remediation of them which may be utilized by air remediationsystem 100 are discussed in more detail below.

Good air quality is one of the most important features of a healthyenvironment. Stationary adults typically inhale 6 to 10 liters of aireach minute. This amount may double with moderate activity and maydouble again with vigorous exercise. Approximately 15 cubic meters ofair pass through the lungs of a moderately active adult each day.

Minute quantities of gaseous pollutants and particulates may be presentin the air from both natural and anthropogenic sources, which can causeserious health problems. Reducing the sources of gases and particulatesin the home will decrease their negative effects. Airborne contaminantsgenerated by materials, and the presence of individuals in the home,require expulsion through ventilation to the outdoors, and filtration toensure that they do not return to the indoor air supply.

The major health effects of poor air quality include lung cancer andcardio-pulmonary disease. Often a significantly greater number of deathsfrom these ailments can be attributed to periods of higher levels ofparticulate matter. Other effects of air quality are asthma attacks,emphysema, and interference with the immune system.

At the microscopic scale, natural laws concerning fluid dynamics andgravity work differently, allowing solids and liquids to float in theair almost indefinitely. Put broadly, this microscopic particulatematter can be divided into two categories: fine particles, smaller than2.5 µm (PM_(2.5)); and coarse particles larger than 2.5 µm and smallerthan 10 µm (PM₁₀ - PM_(2.5)). Fine particles are inhalable particlesthat can lead to a number of health issues. Due to physical processesthat govern their formation, fine particles are inherently more acidicand mutagenic than their larger counterparts. Fine particles are drawndeep into the lungs, maximizing damage. Most cases of mortality frominhalation of coarse particulate matter and larger contaminants arisefrom toxic chemicals they contain rather than the particles themselves.

Coarse particles usually do not penetrate as deeply into the lungs asfine particles, and therefore are the less dangerous of the two.However, many coarse particles are allergens. For example, dust mitesare microscopic arachnids that feed on pet dander, dead human skincells, and other biological matter. They thrive in carpets, mattresses,and curtains, and tend to dwell in synthetic fibers rather than naturalmaterials. Mites are not inherently dangerous, but their droppingscontain chemicals that trigger an immune response in some individuals.The resulting symptoms often include itchy eyes, runny nose, andwheezing, a reaction that can be particularly debilitating forasthmatics. Nearly one quarter of American homes have dust mite levelsassociated with symptomatic asthma, and almost half of them containenough dust mites to cause allergic reactions in susceptibleindividuals.

Air constantly flows into homes and is subject to a wide range ofpollutants both from outdoor air pollution and source contaminantswithin the home. Indoor air pollution is among the top fiveenvironmental health risks and has been shown to be 2-5 times higherthan the pollution of outdoor spaces — up to 100 times higher in extremecases. Therefore, effectively managing indoor air quality through thefiltration of air drawn from outdoors and the circulation of indoor aircan help reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home. To thatend, air handling unit 130 may include one or more mechanical airfilters (e.g., mesh, screen, woven, or piled material) 131, throughwhich air passes to remove larger particulate. Suitable mechanical airfilters may include an activated carbon air filter, high efficiencyparticulate (HEPA) air filter (i.e., MERV equivalent 17+), MERV 13-16air filter, a quantity of Zeolite, or a porous material.

The air handling unit 130 may include one or more electrostatic filtersor precipitators 132 to remove fine particulate in one or more zones. Inparticular, electrostatic filter(s) 132 trap particles that couldcontain allergens, toxins, and pathogens. In addition, the electrostaticfilter(s) 132 are installed to reduce dust mites, pollen, carpet fibers,mold spores, bacteria, smoke, and diesel particulate matter from theair. The electrostatic filter(s) 132 attracts particles using anelectrostatic charge and extracts them from the air into a wire mesh.

The electrostatic filters 132 may take a variety of forms, for instanceones which place a charge on particles and an opposite charge on ascreen or other electrode element to attract the charged particles. Anexample of such is a corona discharge type of electrostatic filter. Theelectrostatic filter 132 may be supplied charge via an electrical powersupply 139.

Various airborne pathogens may present problems, particular in enclosedspaces or habitable environments. This may be of particular concern withnewer construction techniques which are employed to reduce the exchangeof air with the exterior environment, for instance to reduce heat lossand thereby increase thermal efficiency. Although most airborne microbesare pervasive and generally harmless, some can be dangerous pathogenseasily spread throughout a home’s ventilation system.

Mold spores can induce skin, nose, throat, and eye irritation, andtrigger asthma attacks. These fungi release volatile organic compoundsthat produce the characteristic “moldy” odor and have been linked todizziness and nausea. Humidity control has been proven effective inreducing mold, and insulated windows reduce condensation so as toprevent mold from growing in nearby joints.

Individual microbes are very small and often can evade some filters ifthey are not attached to other particles. In order to reduce theprobability of airborne pathogens from traveling through the indoorspace or habitable environment, UVGI can be used to provide additionalprotection. UVGI is based on a specific frequency of UV light thatspecifically targets the DNA of microbes and viruses passing through theventilation system. The growth and spread of health-threatening bioticagents is a primary concern for moisture buildup in HVAC systems. Theuse of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights installed on theupstream side of the coil in HVAC systems has been associated with asignificant reduction in microorganism concentrations on irradiatedcooling coils and drip pans. According to a study conducted with officeworkers, significantly fewer work-related respiratory, mucosal, andoverall health symptoms were reported when a UVGI system was used; theuse of UVGI also resulted in a 99% reduction in the concentrations ofbacteria, fungi, and endotoxins on irradiated surfaces in the HVACsystem.

The air handling unit 130 may include a UV air sanitizer designed todisinfect air via UV light within one or more components (e.g., ducts)of a ventilation system. The aim is to sterilize airborne bacteria,viruses, dust mites, and mold spores that may have escaped filtration.

Thus, the air handling unit 130 may include one or more UV illuminationsources 133. The UV illumination source(s) 133 is positioned toilluminate air with UV illumination of a sufficient intensity for asufficient time as to render pathogens non-harmful.

Various gaseous pollutants may produce harmful effects in humans,particularly where allowed to accumulate in habitable enclosed spaces.Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals thatevaporate into gases at room temperature. Many paints, varnishes,cleaning products, and pest control chemicals emit VOCs, whose presencein buildings can be 2 to 5 times as high as outside levels. Wet appliedproducts, such as paints, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and sealants,can often be a significant source of VOCs if they are not low-VOCmaterials, especially when they are drying, but also after drying.Composite wood products, which may be included in some furniture,millwork, etc. typically contain high levels of formaldehyde, which, canemit significant off-gas following their production/installation. Vinyl,or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is another chemical that is commonly foundin gasketing, carpet backing, furniture and in the household, showercurtains, etc. Depending on the product, significant off-gas may beemitted specifically as a result of the PVC. In the short term, exposurecan cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, throat irritation, and fatigue,while chronic effects include damage to the liver, kidneys, and centralnervous system.

Nitrogen dioxide is a product of combustion and mainly found nearburning sources. Indoor areas that contain gas stoves, fireplaces, andcigarette smoke often have a much higher concentration of nitrogendioxide. Epidemiological studies have suggested that excessive nitrogendioxide inhalation may decrease lung function, particularly in children.In the short term, it can also trigger allergic responses from theimmune system, resulting in irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Ozone is created by reactions between molecular oxygen, nitrogen oxides,and sunlight. It is the major catalyst in the formation of smog. Ozoneimpedes cellular respiration, resulting in reduced cell activity. Highconcentrations of inhaled ozone can result in an itchy throat and chesttightness; chronic exposure scars the lung tissue, which can lead toemphysema. In addition, ozone interferes with the body’s immune system,which compounds the danger from air or water-borne pathogens. Undercurrent standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expectsozone to cause more than 110,000 lost work days and 1,100,000 lostschool days between 2008 and 2020. Thus, the air handling unit 130 mayinclude one or more activated carbon air filters 134 in the flow path toreduce VOC/TVOC, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone that pass through activatedcarbon media filters designed to intercept gas molecules. Activatedcarbon air filters 134 can be very beneficial in zones or other areaswith sources of fumes or odors.

Additionally, or alternatively, the electrostatic filter 132 or someother element may optionally include one or more catalysts selected tocatalyze certain impurities in the air. For instance, the electrostaticfilter 132 may include one or more catalysts (e.g., non-metal catalystsfor instance: titanium dioxide, chromium oxide or aluminum oxide, ormetal catalysts for instance: Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt andAu, as well as combinations or alloys thereof, such as an alloy of Ptand Rh) to catalyze species of VOCs into more acceptable or less harmfulforms.

The air handling unit 130 may include one or more heaters or heatingsystems 135 to heat air or provided heated air in one or more zones. Theheaters 135 may take any of a large variety of forms. Heaters 135 maytake the form of various electric heaters, which employ a resistiveradiant element to heat air. Heaters 135 may take the form of forced airheaters which typically include burners that burn a fuel such as naturalgas or propane. Heaters 135 may alternatively take the form of oilfurnaces, gas furnaces, or the like. In some embodiments, hot watersupplied from a boiler or other hot water source also may be included.

The air handling unit 130 may include one or more compressors or othercooling systems 136 which may form part of an air conditioner coolingunit. The cooling systems 136 may be fluidly coupled to control pressureof a fluid, coupled with one or more coils or other heat exchangers, andmay operate in a similar fashion to standard air conditioner units toremove heat from the air. In some embodiments, chilled water suppliedfrom a cooling system or other chilled water source also may beincluded.

Relative humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air compared tothe total amount that can be held at a given temperature. In the springand summer months, humidity levels can be high enough to causediscomfort. When cool air flows through central air systems, humidity inthe air often is reduced, since cooler air holds less water vapor.However, as dry air is drawn in and heated within a building in thewinter, relative humidity may fall, so the air feels may feel dry.

To maintain comfort, and prevent the establishment and growth of mold,dust mites, and bacteria, relative humidity in the habitable environmentpreferably is kept between 30% and 50%. Using high-temperature waterwithin the ventilation system of the home suppresses bacteria growth.Humidity towards the bottom of this range usually is better in terms ofair quality, but extremely low moisture levels may lead to dry skin andrespiratory irritation.

Thus, the air handling unit may include a humidifier and/or dehumidifier137 which may be used to control humidity in one or more zones orthroughout the indoor habitable environment. This is particularlyimportant when moisture levels in the air fall in winter, thus the airhandling unit 130 may increase the moisture (i.e., humidify) during dryperiods. Conversely, the air handling unit may lower moisture (i.e.,dehumidifies) during humid periods. The humidifier and/or dehumidifier137 may include a reservoir (not shown) that retains water to either beadded to the air in a humidification mode or removed from the air in adehumidification mode. The humidifier and/or dehumidifier 137 mayinclude a compressor or other cooling system (not shown) used to, forexample cool air as part of removing moisture from the air. Thehumidifier and/or dehumidifier 137 may optionally include a heatingelement to heat air as part of adding moisture to the air.

The air handling unit 130 may include one or more fans and/or blowers138 coupled to one or more ducts and/or vents to facilitate aircirculation and/or fresh air exchange in one or more zones. The fansand/or blowers 138 may circulate air within the air handling unit 130and/or within the indoor habitable environment or zones therein. Thefans and/or blowers 138 may expel air to an exterior environment and/ordraw fresh air from the exterior environment, prior to treating thefresh air. In particular, a high flow ventilation system may expelindoor air to reduce the buildup of internally generated air impuritiessuch as volatile organic compounds, dust mites, and pet dander. A heatexchanger may advantageously be employed to recover energy from theoutgoing air.

The air handling unit 130 may further include a control circuit 141.Control circuit 141 may be communicatively coupled directly orindirectly to the air handling unit 130 and configured to control one ormore components of the air handling unit 130.

The air remediation system 100 also may include a central controlcircuit 200. The central control circuit 200 may take the form of aprogrammed computer or other processor-based system or device. Forexample, the central control circuit 200 may take the form of aconventional mainframe computer, mini-computer, workstation computer,personal computer (desktop or laptop), or handheld computer.

The central control circuit 200 may include one or more processing units220 (one illustrated), non-transitory system memories 222 a-222 b(collectively 222) and a system bus 224 that couples various systemcomponents including the system memory 222 to the processing unit(s)220. The processing unit(s) 220 may be any logic processing unit, suchas one or more central processing units (CPUs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic controllers(PLCs), etc. Non-limiting examples of commercially available computersystems include, but are not limited to, an 80×86, Pentium, or i7 seriesmicroprocessor from Intel Corporation, U.S.A., a PowerPC microprocessorfrom IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc., a PA-RISCseries microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, or a 68xxx seriesmicroprocessor from Motorola Corporation. The system bus 224 can employany known bus structures or architectures, including a memory bus withmemory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus. The system memory222 includes non-transitory Flash or read-only memory (“ROM”) 222 a andnon-transitory random-access memory (“RAM”) 222 b. A basic input/outputsystem (“BIOS”) 226 a, which can form part of the ROM 222 a or RAM 222b, contains basic routines that help transfer information betweenelements within the controller 200, such as during start-up.

The controller 200 may include a hard disk drive 228 a for reading fromand writing to a hard disk 228 b, an optical disk drive 230 a forreading from and writing to removable optical disks 230 b, and/or amagnetic disk drive 232 a for reading from and writing to magnetic disks232 b. The optical disk 230 b can be a CD/DVD-ROM, while the magneticdisk 232 b can be a magnetic floppy disk or diskette. The hard diskdrive 228 a, optical disk drive 230 a and magnetic disk drive 232 a maycommunicate with the processing unit 220 via the system bus 224. Thehard disk drive 230 a, optical disk drive 230 a and magnetic disk drive232 a may include interfaces or controllers (not shown) coupled betweensuch drives and the system bus 224, as is known by those skilled in therelevant art. The drives 228 a, 230 a and 232 a, and their associatedcomputer-readable storage media 228 b, 230 b, 232 b, may providenon-volatile and non-transitory storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program engines and other data for theair remediation system 100. Although controller 200 is illustratedemploying a hard disk 228 a, optical disk 230 a and magnetic disk 232 a,those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that other types ofcomputer- or processor-readable storage media that can store dataaccessible by a computer may be employed, such as magnetic cassettes,flash memory, digital video disks (“DVD”), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs,ROMs, smart cards, etc. The hard disk 228 a may, for example, storeinstructions and data for controlling the air remediation system 100, aswell as other for components of a home wellness and/or home automationsystem, for example based on specific aspects or characteristicsdetected in one or more indoor spaces or zones therein in the habitableenvironment, inputs by an occupant or user of the habitable environment,or events expected or occurring in the habitable environment, to improveindoor air quality in one more indoor spaces or zones therein to promotethe wellness or wellbeing of the occupant(s).

Program engines can be stored in the system memory 222 b, such as anoperating system 236, one or more application programs 238, otherprograms or engines and program data. Application programs 238 mayinclude instructions that cause the processor(s) 220 to automaticallygenerate signals to control various of the other subsystems to achievevarious environmental characteristics or scenes in the habitableenvironment, for example based on one or more aspects, characteristicsor attributes of an occupant thereof. Application programs 238 mayinclude instructions that cause the processor(s) 220 to automaticallyreceive input and/or display output via various user operableinput/output (I/O) devices 170 such as, for example, panels installed inthe habitable environment, handheld mobile devices, kiosks, and thelike.

Other program engines (not specifically shown) may include instructionsfor handling security such as password or other access protection andcommunications encryption. The system memory 220 may also includecommunications programs 240, for example, a server for permitting thecentral control circuit 200 to provide services and exchange data withthe air remediation system 100 and, optionally, other subsystems orcomputer systems or devices via the Internet, corporate intranets,extranets, or other networks (e.g., LANs, WANs), as well as other serverapplications on server computing systems such as those discussed furtherherein. The server in the depicted embodiment may be markup languagebased, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML) or Wireless Markup Language (WML), and operates withmarkup languages that use syntactically delimited characters added tothe data of a document to represent the structure of the document. Anumber of servers are commercially available such as those fromMicrosoft, Oracle, IBM and Apple.

While shown in FIG. 1 as being stored in the system memory 222 b, theoperating system 236, application programs 238, other programs/engines,program data and communications applications (e.g., server, browser) 240can be stored on the hard disk 228 b of the hard disk drive 228 a, theoptical disk 230 b of the optical disk drive 230 a and/or the magneticdisk 232 b of the magnetic disk drive 232 a.

An operator can enter commands and information (e.g., configurationinformation, data or specifications) via various user operableinput/output (I/O) devices, such as, for example, panels installed inthe habitable environment, handheld mobile devices, kiosks, and thelike, or through other input devices such as a dedicated touch screen orkeyboard and/or a pointing device such as a mouse and/or via a graphicaluser interface. Other input devices can include a microphone, joystick,game pad, tablet, scanner, touch pad, etc. These and other input devicesmay be connected to one or more of the processing units 220 through aninterface such as a serial port interface 242 that couples to the systembus 224, although other interfaces such as a parallel port, a game portor a wireless interface or a universal serial bus (“USB”) can be used. Amonitor or other display device may be coupled to the system bus 224 viaa video interface, such as a video adapter (not shown). The centralcontrol circuit can include other output devices, such as speakers,printers, etc. Alternatively, or in addition, these and other inputdevices may be connected directly to the air handling unit 130, allowinga user to directly communicate with and/or control the air handling unit130.

The central control circuit 200 can operate in a networked environmentusing logical connections to one or more remote computers and/or devicesas described above with reference to FIG. 1 . For example, the centralcontrol circuit 200 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more other subsystems 204-214, one or more servercomputer systems 244 and associated non-transitory data storage device246. The server computer systems 244 and associated non-transitory datastorage device 246 may, for example, be controlled and operated by afacility (e.g., hotel, spa, apartment building, condominium building,hospital) in which the habitable environment is located. Communicationsmay be via wired and/or wireless network architectures (190 in FIG. 2 ),for instance, wired and wireless enterprise-wide computer networks,intranets, extranets, and the Internet. Thus, the central controlcircuit 200 may include wireless communications components, for exampleone or more transceivers or radios 248 and associated antenna(s) 250 forwireless (e.g., radio or microwave frequency communications, collectedreferred to herein as RF communications). Other embodiments may includeother types of communication networks including telecommunicationsnetworks, cellular networks, paging networks, and other mobile networks.

The air remediation system 100 may further include one or more windowsand/or vents 180 communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, tocentral control circuit 200 such that the central control circuit 200may control the opening and closing of the windows and/or vents inresponse to detected levels of various indoor and outdoor airpollutants.

As described above, the air remediation system 100 may include one ormore wired or wireless user input/display devices 170 communicativelycoupled to the central control circuit 200 and/or to air handling unit130 directly, which allows a user to view and/or control functions ofthe air remediation system 100, as well as the air handling system 130directly. The user input/display device 170 may include user actuatablecontrols (e.g., user selectable icons displayed on touch screen, keys,buttons) manipulation of which allows a user, for instance an occupantof the habitable environment, to select parameters or programs tocontrol one or more components of the air remediation system 100 and/orthe air handling unit 130. In some approaches, a mobile or handhelddevice may serve as the user input/display device 170 and may include adisplay (e.g., LCD) to display information and user actuatable controls(e.g., user selectable icons, keys, buttons) manipulation of whichallows a user, for instance an occupant of the habitable environment, toselect parameters or programs to execute to control one or morecomponents of the air remediation system 100. The mobile or handhelddevice may execute a downloaded customized application or “APP” thatcommunicatively interfaces via a wireless protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11,BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LTE).

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrates various scenarios in which air remediationsystem 100 may be utilized to improve the air quality of an indoor space10 in a habitable environment. FIG. 3 illustrates a single-zone indoorspace 10 (i.e., the space only has one conditioned zone), with one airhandling unit 130. The indoor space 10 may be, for example, studioapartment, a small home, a small office space, a hotel room, or anyother habitable environment in which a single air handling unit may beused.

The air remediation system utilized in the single-zone scenarioillustrated in FIG. 3 may include some or all of the componentsdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1 . For example, the airremediation system may include one or more sensor arrays 110 comprisingone or more sensors configured to measure at least one air parameter inthe indoor space 10, including, but not limited to carbon dioxide,particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, carbonmonoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, noxygen (NOx), and combinationsthereof. The sensors in the sensor array 110 may be positionedthroughout indoor space 10 in any suitable location In one approach, oneor more sensors that form the sensor array may be positioned at theexpected typical breathing level(s) and/or height(s) of an averageadult. For example, in some approaches, one or more sensors that formthe sensor array may be positioned at, for example, from about 3 toabout 7 feet from the floor, or even more specifically from about 4 toabout 6 feet above the floor where one or more people may be expected tobe standing in the indoor space 10; from about 2 to about 5.5 feet, oreven more specifically from about 2 to about 4.5 feet above the floorwhere one or more people may be expected to be sitting in the indoorspace 10; and/or from about 1.5 to about 4.5 feet, or even morespecifically about 1.5 to about 3.5 feet above the floor where one ormore people may be expected to be laying down on a bed or a couch in theindoor space 10. One or more sensors may also be placed or otherwiseadjusted to be positioned to accommodate spaces where children areexpected to occupy. In some embodiments, two or more sensor arraysconfigured to measure the same or different air quality parameters, ormultiple air quality parameters, may be placed at different heightswithin the indoor space 10. For example, if a person is using a deskthat can raise and lower to enable the person to stand or sit whileusing the desk, one sensor may be placed at a lower height from thefloor to measure one or more air quality parameters at a sitting heightfor the person and another sensor may be placed at a higher height fromthe floor to measure one or more air quality factors at a standingheight for the person.

A sensor used in the sensor array 110 may be configured to measure oneor more air parameters at defined detection intervals, for example,every set number of milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. In someapproaches, the sensor detection interval for one or more of the sensorarrays may be 1 minute, in some approaches two minutes, in someapproaches three minutes, in some approaches four minutes, etc. In someapproaches, the sensor detection interval may be between 1 and 5 minutesor even longer (e.g., ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes, sixtyminutes, four hours, twelve hours, twenty-four hours).

Air handling unit 130 is configured to remediate or otherwise improvethe air quality in indoor space 10 using any suitable air remediationtechnique, including but not limited to fresh air exchange, particulatefiltration, ionic filtration, activated carbon filtration, andultraviolet air purification. In the single-zone scenario illustrated inFIG. 3 , setting points regarding thermal comfort may be achieved withindoor air quality remediation simultaneously, and particulate mattercan be reduced in default mode for most of the time, even without aheating/cooling load.

Sensor array 110 and air handling unit 130 are communicatively coupled,directly or indirectly, to a central control circuit, which may comprisecentral control circuit 200 described above with reference to FIG. 1 .The central control circuit 200 is configured to receive from the sensorarray 110 signals indicative one or more air parameter measurements inindoor space 10 and communicate with air handling unit 130 to cause airhandling unit 130 to initiate air remediation when certain conditionsare met. For example, when the central control circuit 200 receives afirst signal indicative of a measurement of a first air parameter inindoor space 10, the central control circuit determines if themeasurement of the first air parameter is above a first threshold valuefor a first duration.

In some approaches, the threshold values for various air pollutants maycorrespond to threshold values recommended by experts in the field. Insome approaches, threshold values may be dependent and/or may otherwisechange based on, for example, geographic region, season, location, userpreference, month, day, and even time of day. Threshold values,detection intervals, and durations may be dependent on, or may otherwisechange, based on intended or expected use of the space or an internalevent such as, for example, when the occupant count in the space exceedsa normal range, the space has been unoccupied for a period of time, awindow is opened, a person known to have severe allergies enters orleaves the indoor space, etc. In other approaches, threshold values,detection intervals, and durations may change based on an external eventsuch as, for example, a local increase or decrease in local pollencount, external air pollution, etc. In some approaches, thresholdvalues, detection intervals, and durations may change (e.g., maydecrease) after air remediation is triggered a first time. In someapproaches, thresholds, detection intervals, and durations may increaseif air remediation is not triggered for a certain period of time, or maydecrease if air remediation is being triggered with only shortvariations in between.

As one example, in one approach, a first threshold value for PM_(2.5)may be 12 ug/m³, a first threshold value for PM₁₀ may be 50 ug/m³, and afirst threshold value for CO₂ may be 800 ppm. In some approaches, thefirst duration may comprise at least one sensor detection interval, andin some approaches at least two detection intervals, in order to confirmthe high measurement of the air parameter. For example, if a detectioninterval for a given sensor measuring a given air parameter is 2minutes, the first and/or second duration may be 4 minutes.

If the measurement of the first air parameter is above the firstthreshold value for the first duration (e.g., two detection intervals),the central control circuit 200 determines if air within the indoorspace 10 is currently being remediated. If the air within the indoorspace 10 is not currently being remediated, the central control circuit200 sends a signal to air handling unit, directly or indirectly, tocause the air handling unit 130 to remediate the air within the indoorspace 10 until a measurement of the first air parameter is lower than asecond threshold value for a second duration. Exemplary defaultthreshold values, threshold value ranges, detection intervals, anddurations for common air pollutants/air quality indicators are listed inTable 1 below.

TABLE 1 Pollutant Default threshold value Value range Detection intervalDuration CO₂ 800 ppm 600-1000 ppm 1-5 min 2 intervals PM_(2.5) 15 ug/m³12-35 ug/m³ 1-5 min 2 intervals PM₁₀ 50 ug/m³ 20-150 ug/m³ 1-5 min 2intervals CO 9 ppm 6-30 ppm 1-5 min 2 intervals TVOC 500 ug/m³ 200-1000ug/m³ 1-5 min 2 intervals Radon 4 pCi/L 2-8 pCi/L 1-5 min 2 intervalsNO₂ 21 ppb 15-100 ppb 1-5 min 2 intervals O₃ 51 ppb 25-70 ppb 1-5 min 2intervals

As discussed above, any suitable air remediation technique may be usedto remediate the air in the indoor space, and may often depend on theparticular air pollutant detected. For example, when the systemdetermines a measurement of CO₂ that is above, for example, 800 ppm forat least one detection interval, and in some approaches at least twodetection intervals, the air remediation technique employed by thesystem to improve air quality in indoor space 10 may include fresh airexchange. When the system determines a measurement of PM₁₀ is above, forexample, 150 ug/m³, the, the air remediation technique employed by thesystem to improve air quality in indoor space 10 may include mechanicalair filtration and/or fresh air exchange. As discussed below, fresh airexchange may not be a suitable air remediation technique in scenarioswhere outdoor air quality may be poorer than the air quality in indoorspace 10.

Regardless of the air parameter being measured, air remediation by theair handling unit 130 may not begin with an instant concentration peak.Generally, only a high level of the detected air parameter which lastsmore than at least one detection interval, and in some approaches atleast two detection intervals, may trigger remediation (a delay loop maybe included to execute this feature before sending a command to the airhandling unit). Even if the detected air parameter is above a setthreshold value for a set duration, in some approaches air remediationmay not begin unless or until the system determines that no remediationis occurring in any other areas or zones of the indoor space. In someapproaches, air remediation may be triggered by the occurrence of anexternal event such as, for example, an increase in local pollen count,external air pollution, etc. In other approaches, air remediation may betriggered by the occurrence of an internal event such, as for example,within a designated time period after a fire is started in a fireplaceor a stove is started in a kitchen, even if the threshold has not beenmet in the room containing the fireplace or the stove. As anotherexample, air remediation may be triggered by a sudden increase in roomoccupancy.

Additionally, the remediation process will not cease instantly when theconcentration drops below the second threshold. In some approaches, thesame delay loop mentioned above may be applied when the concentrationdrops below the second threshold. For example, the detected airparameter should be below the threshold value for more than at least onedetection interval for air remediation to cease.

In some approaches, the first and second threshold values for a givenair parameter are substantially the same. In other words, airremediation might be triggered when a detected level of an air parameteris above a particular threshold value and then may cease when thedetected level of the air parameter falls below the same thresholdvalue. In other approaches, the second threshold value for ceasing airremediation may be lower than the first threshold value for a given airparameter. For example, the second threshold value may be about half ofthe first threshold value.

In some approaches, each of the first and second durations comprise atleast one sensor detection interval. In some approaches, the first andsecond durations may be substantially similar. In other words, airremediation might be triggered when a detected level of an air parameteris above a particular threshold for a set duration (e.g., at least onedetection interval) and then may cease when the detected level of theair parameter falls below the threshold value for at least the same setduration. In other approaches, the second duration may be longer thanthe first duration.

In some embodiments, the sensor array 110 may be configured to measureat least two different air parameters at defined detection intervals,For example, the sensor array 110 may be configured to measure bothPM_(2.5) and CO₂ using on or more sensors. In this approach, the centralcontrol circuit 200 may be further configured to receive from the sensorarray 110 both the first and second signals indicative measurements of afirst and second air parameter in the space 10. The central controlcircuit 200 may then determine if the measurement of one or both of thefirst and second air parameters are above set threshold values for a setduration for each air parameter, and if one or both measurements areabove the set threshold value(s) for the set duration(s), the centralcontrol circuit may cause the air handling unit 130 to remediate the airwithin the space 10 until a measurement of both the first and second thesecond air parameters are lower than respective second thresholds forsecond durations for each given air parameter. In other embodiments, thecentral control circuit may calculate a combined measurement (e.g., anair quality score) of at least two air parameters and determine that thecombined measurement of the first and second air parameters in theindoor space 10 is above a first combined threshold value for the firstduration. The central control circuit may then send a signal to airhandling unit 130, directly or indirectly, to cause the air handlingunit 130 to remediate the air within the space 10 until a combinedmeasurement of the first and second air parameters is lower than asecond combined threshold value for the second duration.

The combined measurement, which may also be referred to as an airquality score, may be represented by S(i) to indicate the contaminationlevel, where i is the type of contaminant. The higher the score, themore polluted the air. The score may be calculated per the followingequation:

Most pollutants found indoors have the minimum concentration at 0 orinstrument detect limit (like PM, NOx)

$\left\{ \begin{array}{ll}{S(i) = \frac{C(i)}{t(i)},} & {\text{if}\mspace{6mu} C(i) < t(i)} \\{S(i) = 1,} & {\text{if}\mspace{6mu} C(i) \geq t(i)}\end{array} \right)$

Where:

-   S(i) is the score of the contamination level of pollutant i, which    is a real number in 0~1;-   t(i) is the health threshold of the pollutant i, The value of    thresholds can be referred to WELL Building Standard.-   C(i) is the concentration of pollutant i.

For pollutants that the minimum concentration in the indoor environmentis not 0 (like CO₂):

$\left\{ \begin{matrix}{S(i) = 0,\quad\text{if}\mspace{6mu} C(i) \leq C_{min}(i)} \\{S(i) = \frac{C(i) - C_{min}(i)}{t(i)C_{min}(i)},\quad\text{if}\mspace{6mu} C_{min}(i) \leq C(i) < t(i)} \\{S(i) = 1,\quad\text{if}\mspace{6mu} C(i) \geq t(i)}\end{matrix} \right)$

Where:

C_(min)(i) is the minimum concentration of pollutant i that can beachieved in the normal environment. The typical value of C_(min)(i) is350-450 ppm

The overall score of the air quality is determined by the highest scoreof different pollutants:

$\text{S}_{\text{IAQ}} = \max\limits_{i}\left( {S(i)} \right)$

The threshold of S_(IAQ) is 1 in normal scenario. The threshold ofS_(IAQ) can be adjusted according to, but not limited to, the followingreasons:

Season: In summer, the relative humidity may relatively higher than itin winter. The higher humidity will reduce the efficiency andeffectiveness of the filtration system. As a result, to ensure theperformance of the air remediation system, the threshold for S_(IAQ)will be adjusted to α, 0.8 < α < 1.

Space type of the system: Different spaces have differentfunctionalities. The threshold of S_(IAQ) will be adjusted according tothese designated functionalities to avoid potential air pollution. Forexample, in a kitchen area, the most common activity often is cooking.Most of cooking operation will generate much more combustion relatedpollutant than the other activities that happens in the residentialhomes. Thus, to ensure the performance of the system, the threshold forS_(IAQ) will be reduced from the value in the building standard bymultiplying a factor, b. Some example values for b is listed below:

Type of spaces Value of b Kitchen 0.75-1 Garage (when people occupied)0.8-1 Printing/copying room 0.8-1

Occupancy: Human beings are the dominant source of CO₂ and major sourceof PM in the indoor space. The CO₂ and PM level may increase rapidlywhen a space has been squeezed in many people. To address the potentialpollution issue, the practical threshold for S_(IAQ) will be reducedwhen the room is over-occupied.

Sensor Array Location: Sensor array location will influence themeasurement of the level of pollutants. If a sensor array is installedin a place that always has a lower reading compared with the realconcentration of the pollutant in the breathing zone, e.g., ceilingmount, the threshold of S_(IAQ) can be reduced to ensure the performanceof air remediation.

As discussed above, when one of the air quality parameters includes CO₂,the air handling unit 130 may remediate the air within the space 10 byfresh air exchange. For example, wherein when the measurement of CO₂ inthe indoor space 10 is above a first threshold value (e.g., 800 ppm) fora first duration (e.g., two detection cycles), the central controlcircuit 200 may initiate fresh air exchange. However, some habitableenvironments might not have fresh air intake capability. In suchscenarios, the central control circuit 200 may be configured tocommunicate with one or more windows 180, which are communicativelycoupled to the central control circuit, to cause the one or more windows180 in the indoor space 10 to open a predetermined amount to facilitatefresh air exchange by the air handling unit 130. Alternatively, or inaddition, the central control circuit 200 may be configured to providean alert to occupants, for example a sound alert or and alert to theoccupant’s or another person’s handheld mobile device, to open one ormore windows to facilitate fresh air exchange, or to take anotheraction.

The indoor space 10 may further include one or more occupancy sensorarrays 160 communicatively coupled to the central control circuit 200and configured to detect an occupancy in the indoor space 10 or zonestherein. The one or more occupancy sensor arrays 160 may be positionedthroughout the indoor space 10 and configured to send signals to thecentral control circuit 200 indicative of an occupancy in one or moreareas of the indoor space 10. In some approaches, the central controlcircuit 200 may be configured to receive occupancy data from theoccupancy sensor array(s) 160 and to adjust one or more threshold valuesand/or durations for various air parameters based on a detectedoccupancy in the indoor space 10. For example, the central controlcircuit may reduce the thresholds for CO₂ and/or particulate matter (PM)when indoor space 10 is over-occupied. In some approaches, the centralcontrol circuit may automatically reduce the threshold(s) of one or moreair parameters when detected occupancy is above a set threshold and/orwhen occupancy increases at a faster rate than expected.

The central control circuit 200 may be further configured to initiateoperation of the air handling unit 110 at a specific time of day or fora period prior to a predetermined time of day to reduce a measurement ofthe first air parameter below a threshold value that is lower than eachof the first and second threshold values. In other words, the system maybe configured to preremediate an indoor space or zones therein. Forexample, if indoor space 10 is a bedroom within a house, and the bedroombelongs to a child suffering from asthma, the central control circuit200 may be configured to begin remediating the air within the child’sbedroom to a lower threshold than in the rest of the house on hourbefore the child’s expected bedtime.

The air remediation system 100 may further include one or more outdoorair sensor arrays communicatively coupled to the central controlcircuit, such as the outdoor air sensor arrays 150 described above withreference to FIG. 1 . The outdoor air sensor(s) 150 are located in anoutdoor area outside of the indoor space 10 and are configured tomeasure at least one air outdoor parameter in the outdoor area. Thecentral control circuit 200 may receive from the outdoor sensor array150 a first outdoor signal indicative of a measurement of a firstoutdoor air parameter in the outdoor area and determine if themeasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is above a first outdoorthreshold value for a first outdoor duration. The outdoor air sensormeasurement may be used to determine if the air quality outside theindoor space is poorer than the air quality inside the indoor space(e.g., in polluted cities), in which case the system may determine thatfresh air exchange should not be used for air remediation until certainconditions are met.

For example, in some embodiments, if the measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for thefirst outdoor duration (indicative of high external air pollution), andif the air within the space is not currently being remediated, thecentral control circuit may cause the air handling unit 110 to remediatethe air within the indoor space 10 without using fresh air exchangeuntil the sooner of (1) a measurement of the first outdoor air parameteris lower than a second outdoor threshold value for a second outdoorduration; or (2) a measurement of the first air parameter in the indoorspace 10 is lower than the second threshold value for the secondduration. In this example, the system remediates air in the indoor spacewithout using fresh air exchange until levels of one or more outdoor airpollutants fall below a set threshold.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the space is not currently beingremediated, the central control circuit may delay air remediation in theindoor space by the air handling unit 130 until a measurement of thefirst outdoor air parameter is lower than the second threshold value forthe second outdoor duration. In this example, the system delays airremediation in the indoor space until levels of one or more outdoor airpollutants fall below a set threshold. Such a scenario may occur in anapartment or condo where fresh air exchange is the only air remediationtechnique available for reducing certain air pollutants in the indoorspace.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within the space is currently beingremediated, the central control circuit may cause the air handling unit130 to cease air remediation in the indoor space 10 until themeasurement of the first outdoor air parameter is lower than a secondoutdoor threshold value for the second outdoor duration. Indoor space 10may also include one or more networked or remote user input/displaydevices 170, described above with reference to FIG. 1 , which may allowa user or occupant to view and/or control functions of the airremediation system governing indoor space 10.

As discussed above, the air remediation system 100 may be configured toprovide various alerts or notifications based on certain conditions. Forexample, in some approaches, the system may provide an alert ornotification when a determination is made that the measurement of thefirst air parameter is above the first threshold value for the firstduration, a determination is made that the measurement of the first airparameter is lower than the second threshold value for the secondduration, air remediation in the indoor space is initiated due to thefirst parameter being above the first threshold for the first durationand the air within the space is not currently being remediated, airremediation in the indoor space has ceased, and/or a change to at leastone of the first air parameter, the first threshold value, the firstduration, the second threshold value, the second duration is made,requested, or approved. In some approaches, the system may provide analert or notification when, for example, a determination is made thatthe measurement of the first air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration and the system determines that the roomcurrently is occupied and/or a determination is made that themeasurement of the first air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration and the system determines that the roomcurrently is not occupied.

In another approach, the system may provide an alert or notificationwhen at least one error in or damage to the sensor array or the airhandling system is detected, when the sensor array is out ofcalibration, when the sensor or air handling unit have exceeded theirexpected lifespan, the sensor is no longer positioned at the best placewithin a zone or room, when maintenance to the air handling system isscheduled or overdue, or when relocation of the sensor is scheduled oroverdue.

In yet another approach, the system may provide an alert or notificationwhen activation of air remediation in the indoor space due to ameasurement of the first parameter exceeds a designated number of timesduring a designated time period. For example, the system may provide analert or notification if air remediation is triggered in the space morethan twice in an hour, more than ten times during a twenty-four hourperiod, etc., due to the measurement of the first air parameter in thespace exceeding the first threshold value for the first duration.

Any suitable alert or notification technology may be used. For example,alerts or notifications may include, but are not limited to, text or SMSmessages, MMS messages, email messages, radio signals, automated voicemessages, sound notifications, or any other audio or visual alert orsignal, which may be sent to (or emitted by) one or more components,electronic devices, or displays associated with the indoor space, theoccupant(s), or selected persons associated with the space. In someapproaches, the alert or notification may be sent to one or more personsassociated with the indoor space (e.g., someone who lives in anapartment or house but who is not there at the apartment or house),someone who is responsible for the space (e.g., a landlord, amaintenance person, an owner), a current occupant of the space who isnot in the specific space, a database that stores information relevantto the operation of the space, an automation control device orapplication, or a parent or caregiver (e.g., if a child or other familymember is in the space).

In some approaches, air remediation may not necessarily beginautomatically when the first air parameter is determined to be above thefirst threshold value for the first duration. Instead, in someapproaches, the system may send an alert, notification, or other signalto a device or a person who must approve initiation of the remediationby, for example, sending a designated approval message back to thesystem, selecting a designated button or icon on a devicecommunicatively coupled to the system, etc. In some approaches, if anapproval signal is not received by the system within a certain period oftime (e.g., 60 seconds, 10 minutes, one hour), air remediation may beginautomatically. In other approaches, remediation in a particular area orzone of the indoor space may not begin unless or until the centralcontrol circuit 200 determines that no remediation is occurring in anyother areas or zones of the indoor space.

For an indoor space that has more than one conditioned zone, theflexibility of remediation is further enhanced by employing multiple airhandling units in the indoor space, as illustrated in FIG. 4 . In amulti-zone multi-AHU scenario, as described below, some rooms or otherzones may be bundled together as a single area or zone for remediation,which can address the problem of crossover of air pollutants from onezone to another due to pressure. The air handling unit associated witheach area or zone will generally, but not necessarily, be triggered bythe worst detection reading in the room or space associated with thatarea or zone. Spatially close rooms may be bundled together as one areafor remediation, and if any room in this bundled area has confirmedcontamination, all the rooms or other zones near the contaminated roommay be cleaned as well. In this scenario, setting points regardingthermal comfort may be achieved with indoor air quality remediationsimultaneously, and particulate matter and CO₂ can be reduced in defaultmode for most of the time, even without a heating/cooling load.

In some embodiments a zone may include one or more rooms or other spacesthat are largely or completely walled off or otherwise separated fromeach other, or which may be otherwise isolatable from each other bydoors, windows, partitions, walls, etc., that can be opened, closed,moved, etc. For example, one zone may encompass multiple bedrooms in ahouse, while another zone may encompass the kitchen and dining room. Inother embodiments, a zone may include one or more rooms or other spacesthat are not completely walled off or otherwise separated from eachother, as is common in homes, offices, and other indoor environmentsusing open plan design. In some embodiments, a zone may include one ormore rooms bundled together based on the type of room (e.g., bedrooms),the expected use(s) of the room (e.g., cooking), the expected occupancyof the room, thermal aspects, air handling system configuration, sizesof the room, materials used in the room, furniture used in the room,etc. In some embodiments, a single room may comprise more than one zone.For example, a large open space that includes a kitchen area, a diningroom area and a living room area may be considered a single room havingmultiple distinct zones.

In scenarios involving multiple zones (as described in more detailbelow), each zone may include a plurality of indoor air quality sensorarrays located in each zone (in some cases in each room of the zone).The sensor arrays in each zone may be configured to detect one or moreair quality parameters in their respective zone. The sensor arrays inthe multiple zones and/or rooms within the multiple zones may beconfigured to detect the same or different parameters and may have thesame or different detection intervals, durations, and/or thresholdvalues, and may be located at the same or different heights relative tothe floor.

In one example, a first zone in a house may comprise bedrooms, a secondzone may comprise a kitchen, and a third zone may comprise a homeoffice. Sensor arrays located in the bedrooms may be located at asleeping height and may be configured to measure particulate matter,sensor arrays in the kitchen may be located at a standing height of anadult and may be configured to measure particulate matter and CO, andsensor arrays in the home office may be located at a seated height of anadult and may be configured to measure particulate matter and VOCs. Thedetection intervals, durations, and/or threshold values for particulatematter in the bedrooms may be the same or different than in the kitchenand home office, while the detection intervals and durations for CO andVOCs in the kitchen and home office, respectively, may be the same ofdifferent than those for particulate matter in those areas.

In another example, in a bedroom used by a person who suffers fromasthma or other allergies the threshold value for particulate matter maybe lower and the duration and the detection interval may be shortercompared to a bedroom used by a person who does not suffer from asthmaor other allergies. In rooms that are less frequently used, such as aformal dining room, threshold values may be higher, and durations anddetection intervals may be longer compared to more frequently usedrooms, such as a family room.

FIG. 4 illustrates an air remediation system utilized in an indoor space10 that is divided into multiple zones bundled into remediation areas.Zones 1 and 2 are bundled together as bundled area A and are served byair handling unit 130A. Zones 1 and 2 may comprise, for example,bedrooms in a house or apartment. Zones 3 and 4 are bundled together asbundled area B and are served by air handling unit 130B. Zones 3 and 4may comprise, for example, a living room and kitchen in a house orapartment. Air handling units 130A and 130B may comprise air handlingunit 130 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

Each of zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 may include an indoor air quality sensorarrays 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d, respectively, configured tosense, detect, or otherwise measure air pollutants such as, for example,carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (e.g.,PM_(2.5), PM₁₀), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, nitrogendioxide, ozone, and noxygen (NOx) in zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.Air sensor arrays 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d may comprise air sensorarray 110 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 . Although FIG.4 shows only one sensor array 110 in each of the four zones, each of thezones may include a plurality of indoor air quality sensor arrays.

In the scenario illustrated in FIG. 4 , air handling unit 130A willgenerally be triggered by the worst indoor air quality reading fromsensor arrays 110 a and 110 b in bundled area A (zones 1 and 2), whileair handling unit 110B will generally be triggered by the worst indoorair quality reading from sensor arrays 110 c and 110 c in bundled area B(zones 3 and 4). One or more of the threshold values, durations, anddetection intervals for bundled area A may be the same as or differentfrom the threshold values, durations, and detection intervals forbundled area B. One or more of the threshold values, durations, anddetection intervals for zone 1 in bundled area A may be the same as ordifferent from the threshold values, durations, and detection intervalsfor zone 2 in bundled area A or the zones 3 and 4 in bundled area B.Similarly, one or more of the threshold values, durations, and detectionintervals for zone 3 in bundled area B may be the same as or differentfrom the threshold values, durations, and detection intervals for zone 4in bundled area B or the zones 1 and 2 in bundled area A.

For example, the central control circuit communicatively coupled tosensor arrays 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d and air handling units 130Aand 130B receive a signal from sensor arrays 110 a and 110 b indicativemeasurements of an air parameter in zones 1 and 2, respectively, anddetermines if at least one of those measurements is above a firstthreshold value for a first duration for that given air parameter.Threshold values and durations may correspond to the threshold valuesand durations described above with reference to FIG. 3 . If themeasurement of the air parameter in zone 1 is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration for that given air parameter, the centralcontrol circuit determines if air within bundled area A is currentlybeing remediated. If the air within bundled area A is not currentlybeing remediated, the central control circuit 200 sends a signal to airhandling unit 130A, directly or indirectly, to cause air handling unit130A to remediate the air within the positive zone (e.g., zone 1) andits adjacent zone (zone 2) in bundled area A until a measurement of theair parameter is lower than a second value for a second duration in thepositive zone (zone 1) and the adjacent zone (zone 2) in bundled area A.

An example of the above scenario may occur in a home comprising twobedrooms (zone 1) adjacent to a home office and a den (zone 2), thesefour rooms forming bundled area A, with each room having at least oneair quality sensor. If a sensor in one of the bedrooms of zone 1 detectsan air quality parameter above a set threshold for longer than a setduration, the system initiates air remediation in the two bedrooms(zone 1) and the adjacent home office and den (zone 2) forming bundledare A until the level of the air parameter falls below a set thresholdfor a set duration in both zones of bundled area A (the threshold andduration may be the same or different than the threshold and durationused to initiate air remediation).

The central control circuit 200 also may be further configured toreceive from sensor arrays 110 c and 110 d signals indicative ofmeasurements of one or more air parameters in bundled area B. Thecentral circuit may determine that an air parameter in zone 3 is above afirst threshold value for a first duration for that given air parameter.If the measurement of the air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration for that given air parameter, the centralcontrol circuit determines if air within bundled area B is currentlybeing remediated. If the air bundled area B is not currently beingremediated, the central control circuit sends a signal, directly orindirectly, to air handling unit 130B to cause air handling unit 130B toremediate the air within the positive zone (e.g., zone 3) and itsadjacent zone (zone 4) in bundled area B until a measurement of the airparameter is lower than a second value for a second duration in thepositive zone (zone 3) and the adjacent zone (zone 4) in bundled area B.

Continuing with the home example discussed above, the home may furthercomprise a kitchen and a dining room (zone 3) adjacent to a living roomand a play room (zone 4), the four rooms forming bundled area B, witheach room having at least one air quality sensor. If a sensor in thekitchen of zone 3 detects an air quality parameter above a set thresholdfor longer than a set duration, the system initiates air remediation inthe kitchen and dining room (zone 3) and the adjacent family room andplay room (zone 4) forming bundled are B until the level of the airparameter falls below a set threshold for a set duration in both zonesof bundled area B (the threshold and duration may be the same ordifferent than the threshold and duration used to initiate airremediation).

As discussed above, air remediation by the air handling units 130A and130B might not begin with an instant concentration peak. Generally, onlya high level of the detected air parameter which lasts more than atleast one detection interval (for example, at least two detectionintervals) may trigger remediation (a delay loop may be included toexecute this feature before sending a command to the air handling unit).Additionally, the remediation status might not cease instantly when theconcentration drops below the second threshold. In some approaches, thesame delay loop mentioned above may be applied when the concentrationdrops below the second threshold.

In some embodiments, sensor arrays 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d may beconfigured to measure at least two different air parameters at defineddetection intervals in their respective zones. For example, the sensorarrays may be configured to measure both PM_(2.5) and CO₂. In thisapproach, the central control circuit 200 may determine if themeasurement of one or both of the first and second air parameters areabove set threshold values for a set duration for each air parameter,and if one or both measurements are above the set threshold value(s) forthe set duration(s), the central control circuit 200 may cause the airhandling unit associated with the bundled area to remediate the airwithin the bundled area until a measurement of the first and second airparameters are lower than a set threshold value for a set duration foreach air parameter. In other embodiments, the central control circuit200 may calculate a combined measurement (e.g., an air quality score) oftwo air parameters in the bundled area and determine that the combinedmeasurement of the first and second air parameters in the bundled areais above a first combined threshold value for the first duration. Thecentral control circuit 200 may then cause the air handling unitassociated with that bundled area to remediate the air within thebundled area until a combined measurement of the first and second airparameters is lower than a second combined threshold value for thesecond duration in the bundled area. The combined measurement, which mayalso be referred to as an air quality score, may be represented by S(i)to indicate the contamination level, and may be calculated as describedabove.

In some embodiments, the sensor arrays associated with one zone orbundled area of zones may measure one or more different air parametersthan the sensor arrays associated with another zone or bundled area ofzones. For example, one or more sensor arrays located in a bedroom mightmeasure CO level, CO₂ level, PM_(2.5) particles, PM₁₀ particles and thepresence of one or more VOCs, while one or more sensor arrays in akitchen might measure only the presence of smoke and PM_(2.5) and PM₁₀particles. The bedroom and the kitchen may be in the same or differentzones or the same or different bundled areas.

When one of the air quality parameters includes CO₂, the air handlingunit associated with a bundled area may remediate the air within thebundled area by fresh air exchange. For example, with reference to FIG.4 , when the measurement of CO₂ in zones 1 or 2 of bundled area A isabove the first threshold value (e.g., 800 ppm) for the first duration(e.g., two detection cycles), the central control circuit 200 may causeone or more windows or vents 180 in bundled area A to open apredetermined amount to facilitate fresh air exchange by air handlingunit 130A. Similarly, when the measurement of CO₂ in zones 3 or 4. ofarea B is above the first threshold value (e.g., 800 ppm) for the firstduration (e.g., two detection cycles), the central control circuit 200may cause one or more windows or vents 180 in bundled area B to open apredetermined amount to facilitate fresh air exchange by air handlingunit 130B. Alternatively, or in addition, the central control circuit200 may be configured to provide an alert to occupants, for example asound alert or and alert to the occupant’s handheld mobile device or toanother person’s mobile device, to open one or more windows tofacilitate fresh air exchange.

The indoor space may further include one or more occupancy sensor arrays160 in one or more zones of the bundled areas. For example, withreference to FIG. 4 , zones 1 and 2 in bundled area A and at zones 3 and4 in bundled area B may include one or more occupancy sensor arrays 160communicatively coupled to a central control circuit and configured todetect an occupancy in the zones in which the occupancy sensor arraysare located. The central control circuit may be configured to receiveoccupancy data from the occupancy sensor(s) 160 and to adjust one ormore of the first and second threshold values and the first and seconddurations based on a detected occupancy in one or more zones and/orbundled areas. For example, the central control circuit may reduce thethresholds for CO₂ and/or particulate matter (PM) in bundled area A ifzones 1 and/or 2 are over-occupied or are more frequently occupied. Insome approaches, the central control circuit may automatically reducethe threshold(s) of one or more air parameters in on or more zonesand/or bundled areas when detected occupancy is above a set thresholdand/or when occupancy increases at a faster rate than expected for thatzone and/or bundled area.

The central control circuit may be further configured to initiateoperation of one or more air handling units associated with a bundledarea at a specific time of day or for a period prior to a predeterminedtime of day to reduce a measurement of the first air parameter in a zoneof the bundled area below a threshold value that is lower than each ofthe first and second threshold values. For example, in a bedroombelonging to a child suffering from asthma (e.g., zone 1 in FIG. 4 ),the central control circuit may be configured to begin remediating theair within the child’s bedroom and one or more rooms adjacent to thechild’s bedroom (e.g., zone 2 in FIG. 4 .) to a lower threshold than inthe rest of the house one hour before the child’s expected bedtime.

One or more outdoor air sensor arrays 150 may also be associated with atleast one of the bundled areas or zones in the indoor area 10 and may becommunicatively coupled to the central control circuit As shown in FIG.4 , each of bundled area A and B may include an associated occupancysensor array 150 located in an outdoor area outside of the indoor space10 and configured to measure at least one air outdoor parameter in theoutdoor area adjacent to bundled areas A and B. The outdoor air sensorarrays may comprise outdoor air sensors described above with referenceto FIG. 1 . The central control circuit may receive from, for example,outdoor sensor array 150 associated with bundled area A, a first outdoorsignal indicative of a measurement of a first outdoor air parameter inthe outdoor area and determine if the measurement of the first outdoorair parameter is above a first outdoor threshold value for a firstoutdoor duration.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within bundled area A is not currentlybeing remediated, the central control circuit may cause air handlingunit 130A to remediate the air within the bundled area A without usingfresh air exchange until the sooner of (1) a measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is lower than a second outdoor threshold value fora second outdoor duration; or (2) a measurement of the first airparameter in one or both bundled areas A and B or zones therein is lowerthan the second threshold value for the second duration.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within bundled area A is not currentlybeing remediated, the central control circuit may delay air remediationin bundled area A until a measurement of the first outdoor air parameteris lower than the second threshold value for the second outdoorduration. In this example, the system remediates air in bundled area Awithout using fresh air exchange until levels of one or more outdoor airpollutants fall below a set threshold.

In some embodiments, if the measurement of the first outdoor airparameter is above the first outdoor threshold value for the firstoutdoor duration, and if the air within bundled area A is currentlybeing remediated, the central control circuit may cause air handlingunit 130A to cease air remediation until the measurement of the firstoutdoor air parameter is lower than the second outdoor threshold valuefor the second outdoor duration. In this example, the system delays airremediation in bundled area A until levels of one or more outdoor airpollutants fall below a set threshold.

Each bundled area may also include one or more networked or remote userinput/display devices 170, described above with reference to FIG. 1 ,which may allow a user or occupant to view and/or control functions ofthe air remediation system governing one or both bundled areas.

FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-zone scenario with one air handling unit 130and a plurality of dampers 180 a and 180 b. In this scenario, zoning isachieved by controlling the flow rate introduced to each of zones 1 and2 zone through PID damper systems. For example, the flow rate may be setor controlled to be within 200-800 cubic feet per minute (CFM), but insome settings the CFM may depend on the room size, room type, or otherfactors. Thus, in some settings the CFM may be set to be 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 or other level, or to be within arange of levels.

During remediation, the central control circuit sends commands to theair handling unit requiring a higher flow rate to clean the pollutedroom, while the dampers in the other rooms are closed so the flow ratewill not be weakened. In this scenario, particulate matter and CO₂ canbe reduced with default mode for most of the time, even withoutheating/cooling load.

A control circuit communicatively coupled to sensor arrays 110 a and 110b and air handling unit 130 receives from a first sensor array (e.g.,sensor array 110 a in zone 1) a first signal indicative of a measurementof a first air parameter in the first zone. The central control circuitthen determines if the measurement of the first air parameter in thefirst zone is above a first threshold value for a first duration, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4 . If the measurement of thefirst air parameter is above the first threshold value for the firstduration, the control circuit determines if air within the first zone(zone 1) is currently being remediated. If the air within the first zoneis not currently being remediated, the central control circuit causesthe air handling unit to remediate the air within the first zone bydetermining the relative configurations of the dampers communicativelycoupled to the central control circuit and reconfiguring positions ofthe first damper (damper 180 a) and the second damper (damper 180 b) toallow airflow into the first zone (zone 1) and to restrict airflow intothe second zone (zone 2). For example, central control circuit may(re)configure the dampers so that the damper in the polluted zone (e.g.,damper 180 a in zone 1) may be open a sufficient amount and the otherdampers (e.g., damper 180 b in zone 2) closed a sufficient amount toachieve at least a 20% fresh air exchange. In some embodiments, thecentral control circuit may (re)configure the dampers so that the damperin the polluted zone (e.g., damper 180 a in zone 1) may be fully open,while the other dampers (e.g., damper 180 b in zone 2) may be fully orpartially closed.

In this scenario, indoor air quality remediation may result in anincrease of the total enthalpy introduced to the target zone, which mayresult in a transient deviation from thermal comfort status. However,the thermal comfort level can recover quickly after remediation, and theheating/cooling coil temperature should compensate the heating/coolingload.

The multi-zone scenario with one air handling unit illustrated in FIG. 5may also include one or more occupancy sensor arrays (160 a, 160 b),outdoor air sensor arrays (150), user display/output devices (170) andwindows (180 b, 180 c) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 .

It should be understood that the multi-zone scenario with one airhandling unit described above with reference to FIG. 5 may beincorporated into a habitable environment having a plurality of bundledareas. For example, the scenario described above with reference to FIG.5 can be incorporated into the scenario described above with referenceto FIG. 4 , where each bundled area in FIG. 4 may be considered aseparate multi-zone indoor space serviced by one air handling unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoor spacein accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method begins at start step 300. In step 301, one or more indoor airquality (IAQ) parameters are measured by a sensor array having one ormore sensors located in an indoor space. In step 302, the systemdetermines if a first air parameter is above a first threshold for afirst duration. If the first air parameter is not above a firstthreshold for a first duration, the system may then proceed back tostart step 300.

If the first air parameter is above the first threshold for the firstduration, in step 303 the system determines if the air within the indoorspace is currently being remediated. If the air is not currently beingremediated, in step 304 the system initiates air remediation by an airhandling unit (AHU) and in step 305 the system continues air remediationuntil the first air parameter is lower than a second threshold for asecond duration. If at step 303 the system determines that the airwithin the space is currently being remediated, the system proceeds tostep 305 and continues to remediate the air within the space until thefirst air parameter is lower than a second threshold for a secondduration. Once the first air parameter is lower than the secondthreshold for the second duration at step 305, the system may thenproceed back to start step 300.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoor spacein accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method begins at start step 400. In step 401, first and secondindoor air quality (IAQ) parameters are measured by a sensor arraylocated in an indoor space. In step 402 the system determines if thefirst and second measured air parameters are above set thresholds forset durations for that given air parameter. If at least one of the firstand second air parameters is above a set threshold for a set duration,in step 403 the system determines if the air is currently beingremediated in the indoor space. If the air is not currently beingremediated, in step 404 the system initiates air remediation by an airhandling unit (AHU) and in step 405 the system continues air remediationuntil both the first and second air parameters are lower than setthresholds for set durations. If at step 403 the system determines thatthe air within the space is currently being remediated, the systemproceeds to step 405 and continues air remediation until both the firstand second air parameters are lower than set thresholds for setdurations. Once the first and second air parameters are lower than theset thresholds for the set durations at step 405, the system may thenproceed back to start step 400.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoor spacein accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method begins at start step 500. In step 501, first and secondindoor air quality (IAQ) parameters are measured by a sensor arraylocated in an indoor space. In step 502 the system determines a combinedvalue for the first and second air parameters. In step 503, the systemdetermines if a combined value for the first and second air parametersis above a set threshold for a set duration. If the combined value forthe first and second measured air parameters is not above a setthreshold for a set duration, the system may then proceed back to startstep 500.

If the combined value for the first and second measured air parametersis above a set threshold for a set duration, in step 504 the systemdetermines if the air is currently being remediated in the indoor space.If the air is not currently being remediated, in step 505 the systeminitiates air remediation by an air handling unit (AHU) and in step 506the system continues air remediation until the combined value for thefirst and second measured air parameter is lower than a set thresholdfor a set duration. If at step 504 the system determines that the airwithin the space is currently being remediated, the system proceeds tostep 506 and continues air remediation until the combined value for thefirst and second measured air parameter is lower than a set thresholdfor a set duration. Once the combined value for the first and secondmeasured air parameter is lower than the set threshold for the setduration step 506, the system may then proceed back to start step 500.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoor spacein accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method begins at start step 600. In step 601, one or more indoor airquality (IAQ) parameters are measured by a sensor array located in anindoor space. In step 602, the system determines if a first airparameter is above a first threshold for a first duration. If a firstair parameter is above a first threshold for a first duration, in step603 the system determines if the air within the indoor space iscurrently being remediated. If the air is not currently beingremediated, in step 604 the system initiates air remediation by an airhandling unit (AHU) and in step 605 the system continues air remediationuntil the first air parameter is lower than a second threshold for asecond duration. If at step 603 the system determines that the airwithin the space is currently being remediated, the system proceeds tostep 605 and continues to remediate the air within the space until thefirst air parameter is lower than a second threshold for a secondduration. Once the first air parameter is lower than the secondthreshold for the second duration at step 605, the system may thenproceed back to start step 600.

At step 606, which may or may not occur concurrently with step 601, thesystem determines the current time of day. In step 607, the systemdetermines whether the current time of day matches a target time of dayand/or is within a set duration of a target time of day. If not, thesystem may proceed to step 602. If so, in step 608 the system determinesif the air within the indoor space is currently being remediated. If theair is not currently being remediated, in step 609 the system initiatesair remediation by an air handling unit (AHU) and in step 610 the systemcontinues air remediation until the first air parameter is below athreshold that is lower than the first and second thresholds for asecond threshold. Once the first air parameter is lower than the secondthreshold for the second duration at step 605, the system may thenproceed back to start step 600.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoorspace in accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method described with reference to FIG. 10 may be especially usefulin multi-zone scenarios, such as those described above with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5 . The method begins at start step 700. In step 701, afirst indoor air quality (IAQ) parameter is measured by a sensor arraylocated in a first zone in an indoor space and a first indoor airquality (IAQ) parameter is measured by a sensor array located in asecond zone in an indoor space, the first and second zones beingadjacent. In step 702 the system determines if at least one of the firstair parameters from the first or second zones is above a first thresholdfor a first duration. If at least one of the first air parameters fromthe first or second zones is not above a first threshold for a firstduration, the system may then proceed back to start step 700.

If at least one of the first air parameters from the first or secondzones is above a first threshold for a first duration, in step 703 thesystem determines if the air is currently being remediated in the firstand second zones. If the air is not currently being remediated in thefirst and second zones, in step 804 the system initiates air remediationby an air handling unit (AHU) in the first and second zones and in step705 the system continues air remediation in the first and second zonesuntil the first air parameter in both the first and second zones arelower than a second threshold for a second duration. If at step 703 thesystem determines that the air within the space is currently beingremediated, the system proceeds to step 705 and continues airremediation in the first and second zones until the first air parameterin both the first and second zones are lower than a second threshold fora second duration. Once the first air parameter in both the first andsecond zones are lower than the second threshold for the second durationat step 705, the system may then proceed back to start step 700.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoorspace in accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method described with reference to FIG. 11 may be especially usefulin multi-zone scenarios, such as those described above with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5 . The method begins at start step 800. In step 801, afirst indoor air quality (IAQ) parameter is measured by a sensor arraylocated in a first zone in an indoor space and a first indoor airquality (IAQ) parameter is measured by a sensor array located in asecond zone in an indoor space, the first and second zones beingadjacent. In step 802 the system determines if at least one of the firstair parameters from the first or second zones is above a first thresholdfor a first duration. If at least one of the first air parameters fromthe first or second zones is not above a first threshold for a firstduration, the system may then proceed back to start step 800.

If at least one of the first air parameters from the first or secondzones is above a first threshold for a first duration, in step 803 thesystem determines if the air is currently being remediated in the firstand second zones. If the air is not currently being remediated in thefirst and second zones, in step 804 the system initiates air remediationby an air handling unit (AHU) in the first and second zones byreconfiguring positions of dampers in the first and second zones toallow air into the first zone and restrict air into the second zone. Instep 805 the system continues air remediation in the first and secondzones until the first air parameter in both the first and second zonesare lower than a second threshold for a second duration. If at step 803the system determines that the air within the space is currently beingremediated, the system proceeds to step 805 and continues airremediation in the first and second zones until the first air parameterin both the first and second zones are lower than a second threshold fora second duration. Once the first air parameter in both the first andsecond zones are lower than a second threshold for a second duration atstep 805, the system may then proceed back to start step 800.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for improving air quality in an indoorspace in accordance with some embodiments, which may be executed by airremediation system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .The method described with reference to FIG. 12 may be especially usefulin multi-zone scenarios, such as those described above with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5 , and especially in scenarios where poor indoor airquality may create a need for remediation in more than one zone. Themethod begins at start step 900. In step 901, a first indoor air quality(IAQ) parameter is measured by a sensor array located in a first zone inan indoor space and a first indoor air quality (IAQ) parameter ismeasured by a sensor array located in a second zone in an indoor space,the first and second zones being adjacent. While FIG. 12 describes theindoor air sensor arrays in both zones measuring a “1st IAQ [indoor airquality] parameter,” it should be understood that the indoor air qualityparameter(s) measured by sensor arrays in the first and second zones donot necessarily have to be the same parameter. Indeed, the measuredindoor air quality parameters in the different zones can be the same ordifferent indoor air quality parameters, which may have the same ordifferent threshold values, durations, and detection intervals. Forexample, an air sensor array in the first zone may measure carbondioxide, while an air sensor array in the second zone may measurevolatile organic compounds. In such a scenario, the threshold valueswould likely differ, but the detection intervals and/or durations forthe two zones may be the same or different.

In another example, the air sensor arrays in the first and second zonesmay both be configured to measure carbon dioxide levels. In such ascenario, the threshold values, durations, and detection intervals forthe first zone may be the same or different from those for the secondzone. Threshold values, durations, and detection intervals, may bedetermined based on, for example, one or more of: location(s) of thezone(s), intended or expected use of the zone(s), estimated, actual, orpredicted occupancy of the zone(s), time of day or year, user preferenceor need, location, elevation, etc.

In step 902 the system determines if the first air parameter in thefirst zone is above a first threshold for a first duration. If the firstair parameter in the first zone is not above the first threshold for afirst duration, in step 903 the system determines if the first airparameter in the second zone is above a first threshold for a firstduration. If the first air parameter in the second zone is not above thefirst threshold for a first duration, the system may then proceed backto start step 900.

If the first air parameter in the second zone is above the firstthreshold for a first duration, in step 904 the system determines if theair is currently being remediated in the second zone. If the air is notcurrently being remediated in the second zone, in step 905 the systeminitiates air remediation by an air handling unit (AHU) in the secondzone by reconfiguring positions of dampers in the first and second zonesto allow air into the second zone and restrict air into the first zone.In step 906 the system continues air remediation in the second zoneuntil the first air parameter in the second zone is lower than a secondthreshold for a second duration. If at step 904 the system determinesthat the air within the second zone is currently being remediated, thesystem proceeds to step 906 and continues air remediation in second zoneuntil the first air parameter in the second zone is lower than a secondthreshold for a second duration. Once the first air parameter in thesecond zone is lower than the second threshold for the second durationin step 906, the system may then proceed back to start step 900.

If at step 902 the system determines that the first air parameter in thefirst zone is above a first threshold for a first duration, in step 907the system determines if the first air parameter in the second zone isabove a first threshold for a first duration. If the first air parameterin the second zone is not above the first threshold for a firstduration, in step 908 the system determines if the air is currentlybeing remediated in the first zone. If the air is not currently beingremediated in the first zone, in step 909 the system initiates airremediation by an air handling unit (AHU) in the first zone byreconfiguring positions of dampers in the first and second zones toallow air into the first zone and restrict air into the second zone. Instep 910 the system continues air remediation in the first zone untilthe first air parameter in the first zone is lower than a secondthreshold for a second duration. If at step 908 the system determinesthat the air within the first zone is currently being remediated, thesystem proceeds to step 910 and continues air remediation in first zoneuntil the first air parameter in the first zone is lower than a secondthreshold for a second duration. Once the first air parameter in thefirst zone is lower than the second threshold for the second duration instep 910, the system may then proceed back to start step 900.

The steps described above with reference to FIG. 12 relate to scenarioswhere either the first zone or second zone (but not both) experiences anabove-threshold indoor air quality measurement that triggers airremediation in zone with the above-threshold measurement. The stepsdescribed below with reference to FIG. 12 encompass scenarios where boththe first and second zones experience above-threshold indoor air qualitymeasurements, triggering either concurrent or consecutive airremediation in the first and second zones.

If at step 902 the system determines that the first air parameter in thefirst zone is above a first threshold for a first duration, and if atstep 907 the system determines that the first air parameter in thesecond zone is above a first threshold for a first duration, the systemdetermines whether the first and second zones can or otherwise should beremediated concurrently. This determination may be made based on, forexample, at least one of the type of elevated air parameter(s), themeasurement(s) of the air parameter(s), configurations of the zones,efficiency, locations of the zones, intended or expected use of thezones, estimated, actual, or predicted occupancy of the zones, time ofday or year, day of week, location, elevation, user preference or need,etc.

If at step 911 the system determines that the first and second zones canor otherwise should be remediated concurrently, at step 912 the systeminitiates air remediation by an air handling unit (AHU) in the first andsecond zones. For example, if two bedrooms are occupied and each has adifferent elevated air quality parameter needing remediation, the systemmay initiate air remediation concurrently in both rooms. In someapproaches, the air handling unit may remediate the air in both zones byreconfiguring positions of dampers in the first and second zones toallow sufficient airflow into both zones. Additionally, oralternatively, in some approaches the air handling unit may remediateair in one or both zones using fresh air exchange, particulatefiltration, ionic filtration, activated carbon filtration, ultravioletair purification, and combinations thereof. In step 913 the systemcontinues air remediation in the first and second zones until the firstair parameter in both the first and second zones are lower than a secondthreshold for a second duration. Once the first air parameter in boththe first and second zones are lower than the second threshold for thesecond duration in step 913, the system may then proceed back to startstep 900.

If at step 911 the system determines that the first and second zonescannot or otherwise should not be remediated concurrently, at step 914the system ranks the zones based on air remediation priority. Airremediation priority or other ranking may be based on, for example, atleast one of: (a) the type of elevated air parameter(s); (b) therespective measurements or scores of the air parameter(s); (c)comparison of which air parameter(s) exceeds its threshold value themost or by the highest percentage; (d) estimated, actual, expected, orpredicted occupancy of the zone (e.g., if one zone is occupied and theother is not, the occupied zone may be remediated first; the zonescheduled for occupancy first may be remediated first; the zone havingor expected to have the highest occupancy level may be remediated firstetc.); (e) current, intended or expected use of the zone, the type ofroom/zone, etc. (e.g., a bedroom may be remediated before a kitchen, asick person’s bedroom may be remediated before another room, an officefor a person with asthma may be remediated before another office, ameeting room may be remediated before a storage room); (f) the zone thatwas remediated the longest time ago may be remediated first; (g) thezone that can be remediated the quickest may be remediated first; (h)time of day, time of year, or day of week; (i) location; (j) externalweather or other conditions; (k) the relative impacts of elevated airparameters on one or more people’s health; (1) occupant or other userpreference or need; (m) group related preference or need; (n) power orenergy availability; (o) noise level or other ramification createdduring remediation of a zone; (p) the length of time it might take toremediate a zone; or (q) other factor(s).

In step 915, the system initiates air remediation by an air handlingunit (AHU) in the highest ranked zone. In step 916 the system continuesair remediation in the highest ranked zone until the first air parameterin this zone is lower than a second threshold for a second duration. Instep 917 the system then initiates air remediation by the air handlingunit (AHU) in the next highest ranked zone. In step 918 the systemcontinues air remediation in the next highest ranked zone until thefirst air parameter in this zone is lower than a second threshold for asecond duration. The system may then proceed back to start step 900.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system for monitoring indoor air quality inaccordance with some embodiments. A lack of adequate data on an indoorenvironment makes it difficult for occupants to understand and improvetheir indoor environmental conditions. Implementing an indoor airquality monitoring system provides occupants of a built structure moreinformation on their indoor environment such that the environment may bemore precisely and accurately tailored to occupants. Installing orotherwise using a system that obtains accurate information on indoorenvironment quality parameters improves the ability of an environmentalcontrol system to control the indoor environment and improve occupanthealth and comfort. For example, the air quality monitoring system canprovide information on the thermal environment or indoor air qualityparameters in the built structure. Information on the thermalenvironment and indoor air quality parameters may instruct occupants howto effectively control those parameters.

Furthermore, with a system installation that provides access to preciseand accurate real-time data on indoor environmental quality parameters,occupants may reliably evaluate their indoor environment and interveneto control indoor environmental parameters as necessary. Spatial andtemporal variation of parameters related to indoor environmentalquality, especially thermal and indoor air quality parameters, mayimpact the quality of data collected by sensor arrays in an indoor airquality monitoring system. As such, sensor array placement impacts theperformance of an indoor air quality monitoring system. Installing anindoor air quality monitoring system with optimal sensor array placementensures that system operates more precisely and accurately. In order toenhance performance of the indoor air quality monitoring system 1000,the delineation of zones within an indoor environment may help todetermine optimal sensor array placement.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the indoor air quality monitoring system 1000 mayinclude, be associated with, or be part of a built structure 1010. Inone embodiment, the built structure is an office space. The indoor airquality monitoring system 1000 may further include an environmentalcontrol system 1030, at least one sensor array 1040, a control circuit1050, and an electronic user device 1090.

The control circuit 1050 is communicatively coupled to the sensor arrays1040, the electronic device 1090, the environmental control system 1030,and the environment database 1080. The central control circuit 1050 maytake the form of a programmed computer or other processor-based systemor device. For example, the central control circuit 1050 may take theform of a conventional mainframe computer, mini-computer, workstationcomputer, personal computer (desktop or laptop), or handheld computer.The control circuit 1050 may be similar to the central control circuit120 that is described above with reference to FIG. 1 .

The control circuit 1050 can operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computers and/or devices asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 13 . For example, the controlcircuit 1050 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more other subsystems, one or more server computersystems and associated non-transitory data storage device. The servercomputer systems and associated non-transitory data storage device may,for example, be controlled and operated in full or in part by a facility(e.g., hotel, spa, apartment building, condominium building, hospital)in which the habitable environment is located. In some embodiments, theserver computer systems and associated non-transitory data storagedevice also may provide one or more other functions, services, orsupport for all or part of a facility such as, for example, accounting,security, energy expenditure management, scheduling, resourcemanagement, inventory management, etc. Communications may be via wiredand/or wireless network architectures, for instance, wired and wirelessenterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, extranets, and theInternet. Thus, the control circuit 1050 may include wirelesscommunications components, for example one or more transceivers orradios 1061 and associated antenna(s) for wireless (e.g., radio ormicrowave frequency communications, collected referred to herein as RFcommunications). Other embodiments may include other types ofcommunication networks including telecommunications networks, cellularnetworks, paging networks, and other mobile networks.

In operation, in one embodiment the control circuit 1050 may delineateoccupant zones based on an electronic floor plan. The control circuitmay then instruct installation of at least one sensor array 1040 in eachdelineated occupant zone. After delineating occupant zones, the controlcircuit 1050 delineates at least one boundary zone and at least one airhandling zone based on the electronic floor plan and an electronic HVACplan. Once occupant zones, boundary zones, and air handling zones havebeen delineated, the control circuit identifies overlapping zonesincluding at least one combined boundary-occupant zone, combined airhandling-occupant zone, or combined boundary-occupant-air handling zone.The control circuit then instructs the installation of at least onesensor array 1040 in the identified overlapping zones. If the number ofsensor arrays available are less than a total of the combined delineatedoccupant zones and identified overlapping zones, then installation ofthermal sensor arrays may occur on the basis of the following order ofpreference: combined boundary-occupant-air handling zone first, then thecombined air handling-occupant combined zones, and then the combinedboundary-occupant combined zones and installation of air quality sensorarrays occurs on the basis of the following order of preference: thecombined boundary-occupant zone, the combined boundary-occupant-airhandling zone, and then the combined air handling-occupant zone.

An environment database 1080 may be in communication with the controlcircuit 1050 and the electronic user device 1090. The environmentdatabase 1080 may be stored, for example, on a server. The environmentdatabase 1080 may include a profile associated with an occupant of thebuilt structure. In the environment database 1080, temperature parameterdata, light parameter data, sound parameter data, and environmental airquality data may be associated with an occupant in the user profile.

In operation, the environment database 1080 may store occupant profilesassociated with particular occupants within the built structure. In oneembodiment, the control circuit 1050 detects a particular occupantwithin an occupant zone, the occupant having an occupant profile in theenvironment database 1080. By another approach, the control circuit maybe configured to detect multiple occupants within the occupant zones andin some configurations may identify the particular occupant. The controlcircuit then locates the particular occupant in an occupant zone withinthe built structure and analyzes sensor array readings in the occupantzone. Next, the control circuit compares sensor readings with thethermal and indoor air quality parameters stored in the occupantprofile. Upon detection that the sensor readings in the particularoccupant zone are not within the parameters of the occupant profile, thecontrol circuit 1050 instructs the environmental control system toadjust the parameters pursuant to the occupant profile. Upon detectingthat sensor readings in a particular occupant zone are not within theparameters of the occupant profile, the control circuit may also send anotification to a user via an electronic user device regarding thereading and adjustment of parameters pursuant to the occupant profile.

In some embodiments, the environment database 1080 also may includeinformation related to one or more occupants such as, for example,allergies or other health conditions that occupants may have, scheduleof occupancy by hour, day, week, etc. for one or more zones, preferredair temperatures, etc.

In one embodiment, the system 1000 and the control circuit 1050 may beemployed with the method of FIGS. 15A and 15B.

The electronic user device 1090 may be configured to receive one or moreinstructions regarding the allocation of or the installation location ofone or more sensor arrays 1040 which may be allocated or installedpursuant to the following methodology: delineate occupant zones based onan electronic floor plan; instruct installation of at least one sensorarray in each delineated occupant zone; after delineation of theoccupant zones, delineating at least one boundary zone and at least oneair handling zone based on the electronic floor plan and an electronicHVAC plan; identify overlapping zones including at least one combinedboundary-occupant zone, combined air handling-occupant zone, or combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone; and instruct installation of atleast one sensor in the identified overlapping zones. If the sensorarrays available are less than a total of the combined delineatedoccupant zones and identified overlapping zones, then allocation orinstallation of thermal sensor arrays occurs on the basis of thefollowing order of preference: combined boundary-occupant-air handlingzone first, then the combined air handling-occupant combined zones, andthen the combined boundary-occupant combined zones and allocation orinstallation of air quality sensor arrays occurs on the basis of thefollowing order of preference: the combined boundary-occupant zone, thecombined boundary-occupant-air handling zone, and then the combined airhandling-occupant zone. Additionally, the electronic user device 1090may be configured to send allocation or installation configurationinformation, HVAC plans, and floor plan updates for the built structureto the control circuit 1050.

In addition to having an installer receive instructions on a userdevice, the device 1090 also may be employed to gather information aboutthe space, such as for example, capturing electronic images of a space,portion thereof, or one or more of the environmental control systems.Obtaining accurate information in the space during sensor arrayinstallation can help account for late changes to the building design

During operation, the control circuit 1050 may send notifications to theuser of the electronic device 1090 upon detection of particularmeasurements by the sensor arrays 1040 in the built structure. Forexample, the control circuit may send a user of an electronic userdevice a notification the user has not been exposed to natural lightwithin a predetermined period of time. In another example, the controlcircuit may send a user of an electronic user device a notification thatthe user has been exposed to certain indoor air pollutants.

The built structure 1010 generally includes environmentally-controllablezones 1020. The environmentally-controllable zones may include, forexample, occupant zones 1022, air handling zones 1024, boundary zones1026, and outdoor zones 1028. The occupant zones 1022 designate theareas in the built structure 1010 where occupants spend the greatestfraction of their time in the built structure. See FIG. 14A and FIG. 14Bfor further description of occupant zones. If two occupant zones are ofsimilar size, share boundaries, and are adjacent then the two occupantzones may be combined in to a single occupant zone. Air handling zones1024 designate the area in the built structure 1010 that is easilyaffected by the components of the environmental control system 1030,including the air outlets 1032 and indoor heating devices 1034. See FIG.14E for further description of air handling zones 1024. Boundary zones1026 designate the area in the built structure 1010 that is directlyimpacted by potential factors that affect the thermal environment andindoor air quality within the built structure, excluding the areasimpacted by components of the indoor environmental control system 1030.See FIG. 14D for further illustration of boundary zones 1026. See FIG.14G for further illustration of outdoor zones 1028 designate the are inthe built structure 1010 that is not in direct contact with the occupantzones 1022 but can still influence the indoor air quality of theoccupant zones and the comfort of occupants in the built structure.Occupant zones, air handling zones, and boundary zones may overlap witheach other.

Air quality monitoring system 1000 generally includes at least onesensor array 1040. The sensor arrays 1040 may comprise one or moreindoor air quality sensors configured to sense, detect, or otherwisemeasure air quality, thermal quality, sound quality, or lightingparameters. For example, with respect to thermal quality, the sensorarrays may be configured to measure ambient temperature levels, airhumidity, and relative humidity. With respect to air quality, parametersthat may be monitored by the sensor array 1040 include, for example,carbon dioxide, particulate matter, total volatile organic compounds,and ozone.

Choosing optimal or near optimal installation type for sensor arrays1040 within the indoor space of a built structure may be important fordelivering reliable data and constructive feedback for occupants. Due tothe spatial heterogeneity of indoor environments, the installation typefor sensor arrays 1040 may affect measurement results. Possible sensorarray installation types include work-station mounted, wall-mounted,ceiling-mounted, self-mounted, and wearable configurations.

In one exemplary configuration, workstation-mounted sensor arrays areinstalled on the work surface of a workstation within a built structureor similar location. For example, a workstation-mounted sensor array maybe installed on a desk. In one approach, a workstation-mounted sensorarray may be positioned in a location where the sensor array is unlikelyto be affected by occupants, indoor air pollutant sources, or heating orcooling sources. For example, a workstation-mounted sensor array may bepositioned so that air exhaled by an occupant does not affect thereading. In another example, a workstation-mounted sensor array may bepositioned to avoid indoor air pollutant sources such as computers,monitors, printers, or air humidifiers. By one approach, aworkstation-mounted sensor array is not installed in an area thatreceives direct exposure to sunlight. In some embodiments,workstation-mounted sensor arrays are used because the can directlymonitor the indoor environment around occupants. Other sensor arrayinstallation types present drawbacks to monitoring of the thermalenvironment and indoor air quality.

Wall-mounted sensor arrays may be installed on the walls or partitionsin a built structure. By one approach, a wall-mounted sensor array maybe installed at the height of seated occupants. By one approach, awall-mounted sensor array is installed between 3-6 feet above the floor.More specifically, a wall-mounted sensor array may be installed betweenabout 4 feet and 5 feet above the floor on interior walls or partitions.By another approach, wall-mounted sensor arrays may be installed toavoid direct sunlight, open windows, air intakes or exhausts, and areaswhere air could be exhaled directly onto the sensor array by occupants.If there is displacement ventilation or floor heating within the indoorspace, an additional temperature sensor may be installed in an areabetween 8 inches and 1 foot 8 inches above the floor on an interior wallor partition. Wall-mounted sensor arrays may be inaccurate at measuringthe thermal environment in built structure due to the influence of thebuilding envelope. For example, in the summer the temperature of theinterior surface of an exterior wall of the built structure will behigher than the indoor air temperature. Therefore, the temperaturemeasured by a wall-mounted sensor array will be higher than theperceived indoor air temperature. The opposite effect occurs during thewinter. Wall-mounted sensor arrays can also be affected by airinfiltration from the building envelope, which may result inunderestimation of the concentration of indoor air pollutants. By oneapproach, a wall-mounted sensor array may be positioned about 2 to 5feet away from indoor air pollutant sources such as photocopiers orprinters. In another approach, such installation is about 3.25 feet fromindoor air pollutant sources.

Ceiling-mounted sensor arrays face similar drawbacks to wall-mountedsensor delays. Ceiling-mounted sensor arrays do not capture pollutantlevels that occupants are exposed to at lower levels of an indoor space.By one approach, ceiling-mounted sensor arrays are not used to measureindoor air quality parameters or temperature. Additionally, the accuracyof ceiling-mounted sensor arrays is dependent on the air distributionequipment within the built-structure. For example, when a displacementventilation system or under floor air distribution system is installed,the air in an indoor space tends to become stratified. When air withinan indoor space becomes stratified, the air temperature measured by aceiling-mounted sensor array may be higher than the air temperatureperceived by occupants. In another example, if an indoor space has aceiling air distribution device, such as a ceiling diffuser, the indoorenvironment measured by a ceiling-mounted sensor array may be stronglyaffected by the intensive turbulence of air. As a result, themeasurements from ceiling mounted sensor arrays may have a largervariation than that of, for example, a workstation-mounted sensor array.

In one illustrative configuration, self-mounted sensor arrays mount aconnection part of one sensor of a sensor array directly on the ceilingwith a portion of the sensor array extending into an occupant breathingzone. A connection part for a sensor array may be, for example, ahanger. A self-mounted sensor array may avoid impeding daily office workbut may also affect the overall appearance of the indoor space andarrangement. By one approach, the location of hangers may be positionedto minimize interference with daily office work and the impact to theappearance of the indoor space. By one approach, the self-mounted sensorarray has a consistent power supply. Wearable sensor arrays may bepositioned on an occupant or associated with an occupant of a builtstructure. Wearable sensor arrays are accurate in measuring certainparameters for which the human body is not a major influencing factor,like total volatile organic compounds. However, for some parameters thatare highly affected by the human body in the indoor environment, likecarbon dioxide and temperature, the position of the sensor array on theoccupant may affect the measurements. For example, if a wearable sensorarray is in contact with an occupant’s skin or is very close to the skinof the occupant, the measured temperature may be higher than the indoorair temperature since the surface of a human body is usually higher thanthe surrounding air temperature Similarly, if the wearable sensor arrayis located at a position in the breathing zone of an occupant, themeasured relative humidity and the concentration of carbon dioxide maybe higher due to the impact of exhalation. A wearable sensor array may,like self-mounted sensor arrays, avoid impeding daily office work.However, if a wearable sensor array cannot be connected via a cablepower supply, a durable battery may be useful.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate an exemplary layout of an indoorenvironment 1001 with multiple occupant zones. By one approach, theindoor environment 1001 is an office space and occupant zones 1022designate the area where occupants spend a majority of their time duringworking hours. FIG. 14A illustrates the layout of an office space withvertical segmental partitions 1012 and workstations 1014 positionedwithin the indoor environment. FIG. 14B illustrates the correspondingoccupant zones 1022 within the indoor environment of FIG. 14A.

An occupant zone 1022 is delineated by vertical segmental partitions1012 within the office space and by the horizontal layout of the indoorenvironment 1001. Vertical segmental partitions 1012 may include, forexample, interior decorative partitions and partitions attached toworkspaces. Vertical segmental partitions 1012 may delineate occupantzones since partitions impact air motion in office areas. Certain officespaces may have high segmental partitions to separate working areas andprovide visual and acoustic privacy. When the height of a verticalsegmental partition is higher than about 1.9 meters (6 feet 3 inches),air distribution in the indoor environment 1001 forms a unique pattern.If the height of a vertical segmental partition 1012 is greater thanabout 1.9 meters (6 feet 3 inches), the vertical segmental partitions1012 are considered “effective” and the vertical segmental partition1012 may be used to divide occupant zones. However, when the verticalsegmental partition 1012 is lower than about 1.9 meters (6 feet 3inches) it is not considered to be an “effective” barrier and cannotfully separate occupant zones.

In the horizontal layout of the indoor environment 1001, the boundary ofoccupant zones 1022 may be delineated based on the offset from the edgesof workstations 1014. More specifically, the boundary of an occupantzone 1022 may be delineated by a about 1.5 meter (4 foot 11 inch) offsetfrom the edge of a workstation 1014. When two occupant zones overlap,they can be merged into a single occupant zone. For example, twoworkstations with a about 2.0 meter (6 foot 7 inch) gap between eachother are considered a single occupant zone because there are overlapsbetween the occupant zones delineated by each workstation in oneembodiment. However, four occupant zones delineated by workstations witha about 4.0 meter (13 foot 1 inch) horizontal distance are considered tobe four separate occupant zones.

In FIG. 14B, occupant zones 1022 a to 1022 e designate each occupantzone in the exemplary indoor environment 1001. The environment withineach occupant zone (1022 a-1022) can be assumed to be uniform if thereis no overlap with other zones.

FIG. 14C illustrates an exemplary layout of sensor packages in an indoorenvironment with multiple occupant zones. In one approach, at least onesensor array 1040 is installed in each of the occupant zones 1022. Amethod for sensor installation is further detailed in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

FIG. 14D illustrates an exemplary layout of a boundary zone in an indoorenvironment. Boundary zones are the area of the indoor environment thatis directly impacted by potential factors that affect thermalenvironment and indoor air quality, excluding the air handling zones.Potential factors that affect thermal environment and indoor air qualityinclude envelope-related factors and interior environment-relatedfactors. Envelope-related factors may include fenestrations such aswindows or doors and the opaque envelope of the built structure. Theopaque envelope of the built structure includes, for example, externalbuilding walls. Interior environment-related factors include indoorpollutant sources, kitchen appliances, water heaters, coffee machines,and other major indoor heating sources. Indoor pollutant sources mayinclude, for example, printers, copy machines, gas stoves, spaceheaters, fireplaces, and woodstoves. Further, the environment within aboundary zone typically varies due to the temporal characteristics ofpotential factors. The area influenced by potential factors isdetermined by the influencing distance from those factors. Table 2provides examples of the influencing distance associate with potentialfactors that may be present in a typical office space. Determining thearea impacted by potential factors calls for detailed information on thebuilt structure and its interior spaces. By one approach, an accuratedelineation of the boundary zones may be determined by the integratedutilization of floor plans and on-site examinations.

TABLE 2 Factor Type Approximate Influencing Distance from FactorsEnvelope-related Fenestrations: windows, doors 0.5-1 m (1′8″ - 3′3″)Opaque envelope 0.5 m (1′8″) Interior environment-related Kitchen,including water heater, coffee machines, etc. 1.5 m (4′11″) Printer,copying machines 1.5 m (4′11″) Other major indoor heating sources 1.5 m(4′11″)

Based on the exemplary building structure 1010 from FIG. 14A, FIG. 14Dillustrates the position of boundary zone 1026 for the indoorenvironment 1001. Boundary zone 1026 is defined based on the location ofpotential factors within building structure 1010. The potential factorsin building structure 1010 includes a printer 1002, a door 1004, astairway 1006, and multiple windows 1008. Accordingly, boundary zone1026 designates the area influenced by those potential factors.

FIG. 14E illustrates the layout of air handling zones an indoor spacewith multiple occupant zones. Air handling zones designate the areaswithin an indoor environment that are easily affected by components ofan air handling system. In an indoor environment, components of an airhandling system can significantly affect thermal environment and indoorair quality. The effect of the air handling system may be taken intoconsideration when determining the location of sensor arrays formeasuring them and indoor air quality parameters. For furtherdescription of how to determine the location of sensor arrays, see. FIG.15 . Components of an air handling system include, for example, airoutlets, air diffusers, radiators, portable heating or cooling sources,and vents. Table 3 provides example instructions for delineating airhandling zones based on various components of an air handling system.The area impacted by components of the air handling system is determinedby both the location and the properties of the components. By oneapproach, an accurate delineation of the air handling zone may bedetermined by an integrated utilization of floor plans and on-siteexamination, which may include capturing the space via electronic imagevia the electronic user device.

TABLE 3 Types Suggested Air Handling Zone Air Outlet Group A1*: Outletsmounted on or near the ceiling that discharge air horizontally. - 360°horizontal diffusers: 1.0 m (3′3″) around the diffuser. - Four-waydiffusers, little spread: 3.0 m (9′10″) around the diffuser. Group A2*:Outlets discharging horizontally that are not influenced by an adjacentsurface (free jet). - Side wall grills, no deflection: a rectangle spacestaring from the grill length: 4.0 m (13′1″), width: twice thehorizontal length of the grill. - Side wall grills, wide deflection: arectangle space starting from the grill, length: 3.0 m (9′10″), width:twice the horizontal length of the grill. Group B*: Outlets mounted onor near the floor that discharge air vertically in a linear jet. 3.0 m(9′10″) around the outlet. Group C*: Outlets mounted on or near thefloor that discharge air vertically in a spreading jet. 3.0 m (9′10″)around the outlet. Group D*: Outlets mounted on or near the floor thatdischarge air horizontally. When used in fully stratified systems, theseoutlets use low discharge velocities; in mixed systems, they use higherdischarge velocities. - Low sidewall, no spread: a rectangle spacestarting at the outlet, length: 4.0 m, width: twice the horizontallength of the outlet. - Low sidewall, wide spread: a rectangle spacestarting at the outlet, length: 3.0 m (9′10″), width: twice thehorizontal length of the outlet. Group E*: Outlets that project supplyair vertically downward. When used in partially satisfied systems, theseoutlets use low discharge velocities; in mixed systems, they use higherdischarge velocities. Air curtain: 3.0 m (9′10″) around the outlet.Underfloor air distribution system. All areas. Return Air Outlet Returnair diffuser. 3.0 m (9′10″) around the diffuser. Indoor Heating/CoolingSources Portable heating/cooling source. Electric heater: 1.5 m (4′11″).Heating/cooling surface integrated with the air handling system. Chilledceiling, radiant heating floor: All areas. ^(∗)The group number is basedon the grouping in Section 20 of the ASHRAE handbook-Fundamentals.

Based on the exemplary building structure 1010 from FIG. 14A, FIG. 14Eillustrates the position of air handling zone 1024 for the indoorenvironment 1001. The air handling system in indoor environment 1001includes air outlet 1032 and indoor heating device 1034.

FIG. 14F illustrates the layout of overlapping areas in an indoor spacewith multiple occupant zones. Overlapping areas represent occupant zonesthat overlap with other zones, including boundary zones and/or airhandling zones The overlapping area defines the portion of the indoorenvironment which interacts with occupants and is also directly affectedby other factors such as air handling components and envelope-relatedaspects of the built structure. The overlapping areas are the mostcomplicated with respect to achieving thermal comfort for occupants andacceptable indoor air quality parameters. Overlapping areas may be areaswhere an occupant and boundary zones overlap. FIG. 14F shows anexemplary indoor environment with three overlapping occupant andboundary zones (O+B). Specifically, with reference to FIG. 14F,overlapping occupant and boundary zones are designated by O+B 1, O+B 2,and O+B 3. As shown in FIG. 14D, the indoor environment includes threeoccupant zones

Overlapping areas may also be areas where occupant and air handlingzones overlap. FIG. 14F shows an exemplary indoor environment with threeoverlapping occupant and air handling (O+A) zones. Specifically, withreference to FIG. 14F, overlapping air handling and occupant zones aredesignated by O+A 1, O+A 2, and O+A 3.

FIG. 14G illustrates a schematic diagram of outdoor zones near a builtstructure. Outdoor zones delineate the area that may not be in directcontact with the occupant zones but can still influence the comfort ofoccupants and the indoor environmental quality in the occupant zones.The outdoor zone includes spaces such as stairways, elevator areas, andoutdoor environments. Table 4 provides examples of spaces in an outdoorzone and impacted environmental variables.

TABLE 4 Spaces Example Impacted Environmental Variables OutdoorEnvironment Temperature, Relative Humidity, Ozone, PM_(2.5) ElevatorPM_(2.5), CO₂ Stairway/Stairwell Temperature, Relative Humidity,PM_(2.5)

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a method for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality in accordance with some embodiments. The method ofFIGS. 15A and 15B may be deployed by the indoor air quality monitoringsystem 1000 or portions thereof as described above with reference toFIG. 13 . The method includes steps for sensor installation within theindoor environment. Spatial and temporal variation of parameters relatedto indoor environmental quality, especially in the thermal environmentand air quality, impact the quality of data collected by sensor arrays.In order to enhance performance of the indoor air quality monitoringsystem 1000, the method also includes zoning of the indoor environmentto determine optimal sensor placement. By one approach, the method isprimarily executed by the control circuit 1050 of indoor air qualitymonitoring system 1000.

The method begins at step 1102. In step 1102, the system definesoccupant zones (OZs). Occupant zones may be delineated as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B. By one approach, the floor plan detailing the layoutof the indoor space and drawings of the interior layout of the indoorspace may be used for this step. Onsite examination of the indoor spacemay also be used to delineate occupant zones in step 1102. For example,the arrangement of the indoor space may be modified during the processand onsite examination of the indoor space may detect changes to thearrangement. In the exemplary indoor environment in FIG. 14A, fiveoccupant zones may be delineated based on the office layout, locationsof workstations, and types and height of partitions. FIG. 14Billustrates the boundaries of the five occupant zones in this exemplaryindoor environment.

In some embodiments, the number of delineated occupant zones is lessthan or equal to the total number of sensor arrays. In step 1104, thesystem determines whether the number of available or usable sensorarrays is greater than or equal to the number of occupant zones. If thetotal number of sensor arrays is less than the number of occupant zones,then the system proceeds to step 1106. At step 1106, the systeminstructs the installation of sensor arrays based on the priority ofoccupant zones.

Criteria for determining the priority of occupant zones may include thecurrent, expected, intended, or predicted number of occupants inoccupant zones and the similarity of occupant zones with respect tosize, boundaries, and position. By one approach, more sensor arrays maybe allocated to or installed in occupant zones which have moreoccupants. If two occupant zones are of similar size, share boundaries,and are adjacent then the two occupant zones may be combined in to asingle zone which includes a single sensor array. If the total number ofsensor arrays is greater than the number of occupant zones, then thesystem proceeds to step 1108. At step 1108, the system instructs theallocation or installation of one sensor package for or in each occupantzone. For example, considering the exemplary layout of occupant zones inFIG. 14B, the total number of sensor arrays is 9 and the number ofoccupant zones is 5. Because the total number of sensor arrays (9) isgreater than the total number of occupant zones (5), the system mayinstruct the allocation or installation of one sensor array for or ineach occupant zone as shown in FIG. 14C.

After the system has instructed the allocation or installation of sensorarrays, the system proceeds to step 1110. At step 1110 the systemdetermines whether there are any sensor arrays left (i.e., sensor arraysthat have not yet been allocated or installed). The system may determinewhether there are sensor arrays left by subtracting the number of sensorarrays installed at step 1108 from the total number of sensor arrays. Ifthere are no sensor arrays left, the process stops. If there are sensorarrays left, which have not been yet installed, the system proceeds tostep 1112.

At step 1112, the system defines boundary zones, air handling zones, andtheir overlapping areas (OAs). Boundary zones may be delineated asdescribed in FIGS. 14D and 14E. By one approach the floor plan and airhandling system drawings may be used to delineate boundary zones and airhandling zones. Onsite examination of the indoor space may also be usedto delineate boundary zones and air handling zones in step 1112. Forexample, onsite examination of the indoor space may assist indetermining the areas affected by indoor air pollutant sources, heatingsources, and cooling sources. At step 1112, the system may delineate theoverlapping areas of boundary zones, air handling zones, and occupantzones as described in FIG. 14F.

After defining overlapping areas at step 1112, the system proceeds tostep 1114. At step 1114, the system determines whether the number ofsensor arrays left is greater than or equal to the number of overlappingareas (OAs). If the number of overlapping areas is greater than or equalto the number of sensor arrays left, then the system proceeds to step1116. At step 1116, the system instructs the installation of one sensorarray in each overlapping area. If the number of overlapping areas isless than the number of sensor arrays left, then the system proceeds tothe method described in FIG. 15B, staring with step 1128. By oneapproach, if there are no occupants in an overlapping area the systemmay skip step 1116. For example, if there are not seats in anoverlapping area in an office space, step 1116 may be skipped.

After sensor arrays have been installed according to step 1116, thesystem proceeds to step 1118. At step 1118 the system determines whetherthere are any sensor arrays left (i.e., sensor arrays that have not yetbeen installed). The system may determine whether there are sensorarrays left by subtracting the number of sensor arrays allocated orinstalled at step 1108 and the total number of sensor arrays installedat step 116 from the total number of sensor arrays. If there are nosensor arrays left, the process stops. If there are sensor arrays left,which have not been yet installed, the system proceeds to step 1120.

At step 1120, the system defines extending zones, outdoor zones, andnon-overlapping boundary zones. The system may delineate outdoor zonesas described in FIG. 14G. Non-overlapping boundary zones designate thearea of boundary zones that do not overlap with occupant zones. Thesystem may delineate non-overlapping boundary zones based on the arearemaining in the boundary zone after defining overlapping areas at step1112. Outdoor zones and boundary zones that are not overlapping withoccupant zones are less important for sensor installation becauseoccupants are not present in these areas for a substantial amount oftime. Therefore, outdoor zones and non-boundary zones are onlyconsidered for sensor array installation after sensor arrays have beeninstalled in occupant zones and overlapping areas.

After defining the outdoor zones and non-overlapping boundary zones atstep 1120, the system continues to step 1122. At step 1122, the systemdetermines whether the number of sensor arrays left (i.e., sensor arraysthat have not yet been allocated or installed) is greater than or equalto the number of outdoor zones and non-overlapping boundary zones. Thesystem may determine the number of sensor arrays left based on thecalculation at step 1118. The system may determine the number of outdoorzones and non-overlapping boundary zones by counting the number of zonesdefined at step 1120. If the number of sensor arrays left is less thanthe number of outdoor zones and boundary zones, the system proceeds tostep 1124. If the number of sensor arrays left is greater than or equalto the number of outdoor zones and non-overlapping boundary zones, thesystem proceeds to step 1126.

At step 1124, the system instructs the installation of the remainingsensor arrays based on priority considerations with respect to theoutdoor zones and non-overlapping boundary zones. Outdoor zones mayimpact the thermal and indoor air quality parameters in the indoorenvironment. Thus, installing sensor arrays in outdoor zones to measureoutdoor environmental parameters may serve as an indicator of therelationship between the indoor and outdoor environment. Additionally,non-overlapping boundary zones have an impact on indoor air qualityparameters. For example, areas near indoor air pollution sources, suchas printers, have an impact on indoor air quality parameters. Installingsensor arrays in non-overlapping boundary zones may establish the impactof indoor air pollution sources on indoor environmental quality. Morespecifically, installing sensor arrays in indoor air pollution relatedareas may help determine potential risks to indoor environmentalquality.

At step 1126, the system instructs the installation of one sensor arrayin each outdoor zone and each non-overlapping boundary zone. Afterinstructing the installation of the remaining sensor arrays at step1126, the process stops.

The method of FIG. 15B begins with step 1128. At step 1128, the systemdetermines whether indoor air quality (IAQ) or thermal parameters shouldbe given priority. The system selects either a thermal path or an IAQpath depending on which parameters should be given priority. By oneapproach, the control circuit 1050 may be configured to select eitherthe thermal path or IAQ path depending on a preset for the particularindoor environment. By another approach, an occupant may select athermal path using an electronic user device 1090 that is incommunication with the control circuit 1050. For the thermal path andIAQ path, areas for sensor installation are prioritizes as follows:

-   Thermal Path: O+A+B > O+A > O+B-   IAQ Path: O+B > O+A+B > O+A-   Where:    -   O+B represents the overlapping area resulted from an occupant        zone and a boundary zone.    -   O+A represents the overlapping area resulted from an occupant        zone and an air handling zone.    -   O+A+B represents the overlapping area resulted from an occupant        zone, a boundary zone, and an air handling zone.

For the IAQ path, after step 1128, the system proceeds to step 1130. Atstep 1130, the system determines whether the number of sensor arraysleft is greater than or equal to the number of overlapping occupant andboundary (O+B) zones. If the number of sensor arrays is less than orequal to the number of O+B zones, then the system proceeds to step 1138.At step 1138, the system prioritizes sensor installation based on theoccupant density within each O+B zone and instructs the installation ofsensor arrays starting with the highest priority O+B zones first. By oneapproach, the system instructs sensor arrays to be installed in O+Bzones with the highest number of occupants first. If the number ofsensor arrays is greater than or equal to the number of O+B zones, thesystem instructs the installation of one sensor array in each O+B zonesat step 1142. Next, at step 1146, the system determines whether thereare sensor arrays left. To determine the number of arrays left, thesystem may subtract the number of sensor arrays installed in occupantzones and the number of sensor arrays installed in O+B zones from thetotal number of sensor arrays. If there are no sensor arrays left, theprocess stops.

If the system determines that there are sensor arrays left at step 1146,the system proceeds to step 1150. At step 1150, the system determineswhether the number of sensor arrays left is greater than or equal to thenumber of overlapping occupant and air handling and boundary (O+A+B)zones. The system may determine the number of sensor arrays left fromthe calculation at step 1146. The system may determine the number ofO+A+B zones from the process described at step 1112. If the number ofsensor arrays is less than or equal to the number of O+A+B zones, thenthe system proceeds to step 1154. At step 1154, the system prioritizessensor installation based on the occupant density within each O+A+B zoneand instructs the installation of sensor arrays starting with thehighest priority O+A+B zones first. By one approach, the systeminstructs sensor arrays to be allocated or installed in O+A+B zones withthe highest number of occupants first. If the number of sensor arrays isgreater than or equal to the number of O+A+B zones, then the systeminstructs the installation of one sensor array in each O+A+B zone atstep 1158. Next, at step 1162, the system determines whether there aresensor arrays left. To determine the number of sensor arrays left, thesystem may subtract the number of sensor arrays installed in occupantzones and the number of sensor arrays installed in O+B and O+A+B zonesfrom the total number of sensor arrays. If there are sensor arrays left,the system instructs the installation of remaining sensor arrays inoverlapping occupant and air handling (O+A) zones at step 1166. At step1166, the system prioritizes installation of sensor arrays based on theoccupant density in each O+A zone and instructs installation of sensorarrays starting with the highest priority O+A zones. By one approach,the system instructs sensor arrays to be installed in O+A zones with thehighest number of occupants first. If there are no sensor arrays left,the process stops.

For the thermal path, after step 1128, the system proceeds to step 1132.At step 1132 the system determines whether the number of sensor arraysleft is greater than or equal to the number of overlapping occupant andair handling and boundary (O+A+B) zones. If the number of sensor arraysis less than or equal to the number of O+A+B zones, then the systemproceeds to step 1140. At step 1140, the system prioritizes sensorinstallation based on the occupant density within each O+A+B zone andinstructs the installation of sensor arrays starting with the highestpriority O+A+B zones first. By one approach, the system instructs sensorarrays to be allocated to or installed in O+A+B zones with the highestnumber of occupants first. If the number of sensor arrays is greaterthan or equal to the number of O+A+B zones, the system instructs theinstallation of one sensor array in each O+A+B zone at step 1144. Next,at step 1148, the system determines whether there are sensor arraysleft. To determine the number of sensor arrays left, the system maysubtract the number of sensor arrays installed in occupant zones and thenumber of sensor arrays installed in O+A+B zones from the total numberof sensor arrays. If there are no sensor arrays left, the process stops.

If the system determines that there are sensor arrays left at step 1148,the system proceeds to step 1152. At step 1152, the system determineswhether the number of sensor arrays left is greater than or equal to thenumber of overlapping occupant and air handling (O+A) zones. The systemmay determine the number of sensor arrays left from the calculation atstep 1148. The system may determine the number of O+A zones from theprocess described at step 1112. If the number of sensor arrays is lessthan or equal to the number of O+A zones, the system proceeds to step1156. At step 1156, the system prioritizes sensor installation based onthe occupant density within each O+A zone and instructs the installationof sensor arrays starting with the highest priority O+A zones first. Byone approach, the system instructs sensor arrays to be allocated to orinstalled in O+A zones with the highest number of occupants first. Ifthe number of sensor arrays is greater than or equal to the number ofO+A zones, then the system instructs the installation of one sensorarray in each O+A zone at step 1160. Next, at step 1164, the systemdetermines whether there are sensor arrays left. To determine the numberof sensor arrays left, the system may subtract the number of sensorarrays installed in occupant zones and the number of sensor arraysinstalled in O+A zones and O+A+B zones from the total number of sensorarrays. If there are sensor arrays left, the system instructs theinstallation of remaining sensor arrays in overlapping occupant andboundary (O+B) zones at step 1168. At step 1168, the system prioritizesinstallation of sensor arrays based on the occupant density in each O+Bzone and instructs installation of sensor arrays starting with thehighest priority O+B zones. By one approach, the system instructs sensorarrays to be installed in O+B zones with the highest number of occupantsfirst. If there are no sensor arrays left, the process stops.

The method of FIGS. 15A and 15B may also further include samplingintervals for the measurement of indoor environmental quality parametersby installed sensor arrays. In addition to spatial considerations forsensor installation, temporal considerations for sensor measurements arealso important for the accuracy of an environmental monitoring system.Temporal variations occur for example in air temperature and in theconcentration of air pollutants. By one approach, the sampling intervalfor parameters for the thermal environment and indoor air quality may bea 5-minute frequency. A 5-minute frequency allows the environmentalmonitoring system to sufficiently capture transient changes in thethermal environment and indoor air quality.

In one illustrative approach, an apparatus for sheltering occupants maysummarized as including a built structure having an indoor environment;a sensor array configured to measure at least one of air quality,thermal quality, sound parameters, or lighting parameters; a centralcontrol circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor array. The centralcontrol circuit in the apparatus may be configured to delineate occupantzones based on an electronic floor plan; instruct installation of atleast one sensor in each delineated occupant zone; after delineation ofthe occupant zones, delineating at least one boundary zone and at leastone air handling zone based on the electronic floor plan and anelectronic HVAC plan; identify overlapping zones including at least onecombined boundary-occupant zone, combined air handling-occupant zone, orcombined boundary-occupant-air handling zone; and instruct installationof at least one sensor in the identified overlapping zones. If thesensor arrays available are less than a total of the combined delineatedoccupant zones and identified overlapping zones, then allocation orinstallation of thermal sensor arrays occurs on the basis of thefollowing order of preference: combined boundary-occupant-air handlingzone first, then the combined air handling-occupant combined zones, andthen the combined boundary-occupant combined zones and allocation orinstallation of air quality sensor arrays occurs on the basis of thefollowing order of preference: the combined boundary-occupant zone, thecombined boundary-occupant-air handling zone, and then the combined airhandling-occupant zone.

In another illustrative approach, a system for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality may be summarized as including a built structurehaving a plurality of environmentally-controllable zones; a sensor arrayconfigured to measure at least one indoor environmental qualityparameters; an environmental control system associated with the builtstructure; at least one electronic user device associated with a user;and a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the sensorarray, the electronic device, and the environmental control system. Inthe system, the environmentally-controllable zones may be delineatedinto one or more occupant zones, air handling zones, and boundary zones.The control circuit may be configured to detect a particular occupanthaving an occupant profile in an environment database, locate theparticular occupant in a particular occupant zone, compare the sensorreadings in the particular occupant zone with parameters of the occupantprofile associated with the particular occupant, and, upon detectionthat the sensor readings in the particular occupant zone are not withinthe parameters of the occupant profile, instruct the environmentalcontrol system to adjust the parameters pursuant to the occupantprofile. In one embodiment, the system for monitoring indoorenvironmental quality may include a sensor array configured to measureat least one of air quality, thermal quality, sound parameters, orlighting parameters.

In another illustrative approach, a method of monitoring indoor airquality may be summarized as including delineating a plurality ofoccupant zones in a built structure based on an electronic floor plan;installing at least one of a plurality of sensor arrays in eachdelineated occupant zone; after delineation of the occupant zones,delineating at least one boundary zone and at least one air handlingzone based on the electronic floor plan and an electronic HVAC plan;identifying overlapping zones including at least one combinedboundary-occupant zone, combined air handling-occupant zone, or combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone; allocating or installing at leastone of the plurality of sensor arrays in the identified overlappingzones; and operating an air handling system according to readings fromthe sensor arrays in the delineated occupant zones and the identifiedoverlapping zones. If sensor arrays available for the identifiedoccupant zones are less than the delineated occupant zones and theidentified overlapping zones, then allocation or installation of thermalsensor arrays occurs on the basis of the following order of preferencecombined boundary-occupant-air handling zone first, then the combinedair handling-occupant combined zones, and then the combinedboundary-occupant combined zones.

In another illustrative approach, a method for monitoring indoor airquality may be summarized as receiving data from a plurality of sensorarrays in a space and operating an environmental system. In thisillustrative approach, the space includes a plurality of zones andwherein the plurality of sensor arrays were positioned within the spaceby delineating a plurality of occupant zones in a built structure basedon an electronic floor plan; installing at least one of a plurality ofsensor arrays in each delineated occupant zone; after delineation of theoccupant zones, delineating at least one boundary zone and at least oneair handling zone based on the electronic floor plan and an electronicHVAC plan; identifying overlapping zones including at least one combinedboundary-occupant zone, combined air handling-occupant zone, or combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone; allocating or installing at leastone of the plurality of sensor arrays in the identified overlappingzones; and operating an air handling system according to readings fromthe sensor arrays in the delineated occupant zones and the identifiedoverlapping zones. If sensor arrays available for the identifiedoccupant zones are less than the delineated occupant zones and theidentified overlapping zones, then installation of thermal sensor arraysoccurs on the basis of the following order of preference combinedboundary-occupant-air handling zone first, then the combined airhandling-occupant combined zones, and then the combinedboundary-occupant combined zones.

The above installation guidelines for sensor arrays in a system formonitoring indoor air quality may be considered before operating anenvironmental control system or remediating air in an indoor space. Thedata obtained from the system for monitoring indoor air quality may alsobe used to determine whether air within or remediating air in an indoorspace needs remediation.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, ifnecessary or desirable to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

What is claimed is: 1-41. (canceled)
 42. A system for improving airquality in a space, the system comprising: a sensor array configured tomeasure at least one air parameter in an indoor space; an air handlingsystem comprising a control circuit; a central control circuitcommunicatively coupled to the sensor array and the air handling system,the central control circuit configured to: receive from the sensor arraya first signal indicative of a measurement of a first air parameter inthe space; determine if the measurement of the first air parameter isabove a first threshold value for a first duration; if the measurementof the first air parameter is above the first threshold value for thefirst duration, determine if air within the space is currently beingremediated; and if the air within the space is not currently beingremediated, cause the air handling system to remediate the air withinthe space until a measurement of the first air parameter is lower than asecond threshold value for a second duration.
 43. The system of claim42, wherein the first and second threshold values are substantially thesame.
 44. The system of claim 42, wherein the second threshold value islower than the first threshold value.
 45. The system of claim 42,wherein the sensor array is configured to measure the first airparameter at defined detection intervals.
 46. The system of claim 42,wherein the first and second durations are substantially similar. 47.The system of claim 42, wherein the second duration is longer than thefirst duration.
 48. The system of claim 42, wherein the first airparameter comprises carbon dioxide and the air handling systemremediates the air within the space by fresh air exchange.
 49. Thesystem of claim 48, wherein when the measurement of carbon dioxide inthe indoor space is above the first threshold value for the firstduration, the central control circuit causes a window or vent in theindoor space to open a predetermined amount to facilitate the fresh airexchange by the air handling system.
 50. The system of claim 42, whereinthe central control circuit is further configured to: receive from thesensor array a second signal indicative of a measurement of a second airparameter in the space.
 51. The system of claim 42, wherein the centralcontrol circuit is further configured to: receive from the sensor arraya second signal indicative of a measurement of a second air parameter inthe space; determine if the measurement of the second air parameter isabove a third threshold value for a third duration; and if themeasurement of the second air parameter is above the third thresholdvalue for the third duration, cause the air handling system to remediatethe air within the space until a measurement of the second air parameteris lower than a fourth threshold value for a fourth duration.
 52. Thesystem of claim 42, wherein the central control circuit is furtherconfigured to: receive from the sensor array a second signal indicativeof a measurement of a second air parameter in the space; determine thata combined measurement of the first and second air parameters in theindoor space is above a first combined threshold value for the firstduration; and cause the air handling system to remediate the air withinthe space until a combined measurement of the first and second airparameters is lower than a second combined threshold value for thesecond duration.
 53. The system of claim 42, further comprising anoccupancy sensor communicatively coupled to the central control circuitand configured to detect an occupancy in the indoor space, and the firstand second threshold values and the first and second durations areadjusted based on a detected occupancy in the indoor space.
 54. Thesystem of claim 42, wherein the central control circuit is furtherconfigured to initiate operation of the air handling system at aspecific time of day or for a period prior to a predetermined time ofday to reduce a measurement of the first air parameter below a thresholdvalue that is lower than each of the first and second threshold values.55. The system of claim 43, wherein the first and third threshold valuesare substantially the same and the second and fourth threshold valuesare substantially the same, and the second and fourth threshold valuesare lower than the first and third threshold values.
 56. A system forimproving air quality in an indoor space, the system comprising: a firstsensor array located in a first zone of an indoor space and a secondsensor array located in a second zone of the indoor space, the first andsecond sensor arrays configured to measure at least one air parameter inthe first and second zones of the indoor space, respectively; an airhandling system associated with the first and second zones of the indoorspace and comprising a control circuit; a central control circuitcommunicatively coupled to the sensor arrays and the air handlingsystem, the central control circuit configured to: receive from thefirst sensor array a signal indicative of a measurement of a first airparameter in the first zone; determine if the measurement of the firstair parameter is above a first threshold value for a first duration; ifthe measurement of the first air parameter is above the first thresholdvalue for the first duration, determine if air within the first zone iscurrently being remediated; and if the air within the first zone is notcurrently being remediated, cause the air handling system to remediatethe air within the first and second zones until a measurement of thefirst air parameter is lower than a second value for a second duration.57. The system of claim 56, wherein further comprising a third sensorarray located in a third zone of the indoor space and a fourth sensorarray located in a fourth zone of the indoor space, the third and fourthsensors arrays communicatively coupled to the central control circuitand configured to measure at least one air parameter in the third andfourth zones of the indoor space, respectively, the air handling systemfurther comprises an air handling system associated with the third andfourth zones of the indoor space and comprising a control circuit, andthe central control circuit is further configured to: receive from thethird sensor array a signal indicative of a measurement of a second airparameter in the third zone; determine if the measurement of the secondair parameter in the third zone is above a third threshold value for athird duration; if the measurement of the second air parameter in thethird zone is above the third threshold value for the third duration,determine if air within the third zone is currently being remediated;and if the air within the third zone is not currently being remediated,cause the air handling system to remediate the air within the third andfourth zones until a measurement of the second air parameter in thethird zone is lower than a fourth threshold value for a fourth duration.58. The system of claim 56, wherein the first and second thresholdvalues are substantially the same.
 59. The system of claim 56, whereinthe second threshold value is lower than the first threshold value. 60.A method for improving air quality in a space, the method comprising:receiving from a sensor array a first signal indicative of a measurementof a first air parameter in the space; determining if the measurement ofthe first air parameter is above a first threshold value for a firstduration; if the measurement of the first air parameter is above thefirst threshold value for the first duration, determining if air withinthe space is currently being remediated; and if the air within the spaceis not currently being remediated, initiating air remediation in thespace by an air handling unit and continuing air remediation within thespace until a measurement of the first air parameter is lower than asecond value for a second duration.
 61. The method of claim 60, furthercomprising: receiving from a sensor array a second signal indicative ofa measurement of a second air parameter in the space; determining if themeasurement of the second air parameter is above a third threshold valuefor a third duration; if the measurement of the second air parameter isabove the third threshold value for the third duration, initiating airremediation in the space by the air handling unit; and continuing airremediation within the space until a measurement of the second airparameter is lower than a fourth threshold value for a fourth duration.62. The method of claim 60, further comprising: receiving from thesensor array a second signal indicative of a measurement of a second airparameter in the space; determining that a combined measurement of thefirst and second air parameters in the indoor space is above a firstcombined threshold value for the first duration; initiating airremediation in the space by the air handling unit; and continuing airremediation within the space until a combined measurement of the firstand second air parameters is lower than a second combined thresholdvalue for the second duration.